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Chris Smith

PartnerLondon

Chris Smith

PartnerLondon

Delivers digital and agile transformation programs at scale across industries and leads our work in agile and development operations

With over 15 years of experience delivering digital transformation programs, Chris is an ardent believer in the power of innovative technology to change how companies do business. His current focus is on agile at scale and development operations (DevOps) transformations, working closely with financial institutions and media and entertainment clients. He is a leader of McKinsey Digital Labs’ work in agile and DevOps globally and specializes in blockchain technology and solutions.

Chris is a contributor to “enterprise agile” methodology, which is used to deliver agile projects at scale in large enterprises. He has led large organizations in the application of end-to-end agile methodologies, including the implementation of DevOps and continuous integration and delivery.

His hands-on partnership with clients quickly turns ideas into action. For instance, Chris guided a large bank through a digital and agile at-scale transformation, has led the DevOps for a number of leading banks in Europe, and helped build a new digital business for a flower distribution company by reinventing how flowers and plants are sold B2B using a digital marketplace.

Chris started his career pioneering and delivering some of the first e-commerce and web platforms. Before joining McKinsey in 2016, he held chief transformation officer (CTO) and chief digital officer (CDO) roles across different industries, where he helped shape the strategic direction of digital platforms, develop digital operating models, and create new digital organizations.

Published work

Disrupting the disruptors: Business building for banks,” McKinsey & Company, April 2021

The data gambit: How large B2B companies can outmaneuver start-ups,” McKinsey & Company, January 2021

How companies can help midlevel managers navigate agile transformations,” McKinsey & Company, April 2019

Five cultural changes you need for DevOps to work,” McKinsey & Company, February 2017

Past experience

Discussion Point
Founder

KPMG
Director and CTO, digital, analytics, and innovation

BJSS
Head of retail practice

Accenture
Manager

Education

University of Glasgow
MA, management studies and computer science