Colt Technology Services Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keri Gilder is been named to Management Today's prestigious Women in Leadership Power List 2024, which honors trailblazing, accomplished and motivational women.

"I’m incredibly honored and humbled to share that I have been named to the Management Today Women in Leadership Power List 2024. This recognition celebrates the achievements of inspirational women across various fields, and I am grateful to be included among such accomplished leaders. This achievement is not just mine; it reflects the incredible team and supportive community around me. I am thankful for the opportunity to drive positive change and contribute to our shared success," said Keri.

Transforming Colt through dynamic leadership

Keri is a dynamic changemaker and is the driving force behind one of the most exciting recent acquisitions in the telecoms industry – Colt’s $1.8bn acquisition of Lumen EMEA, closed on November 1st 2023.

Keri's energy, sharp intelligence and openness make her a popular and inspiring leader and influencer. Keri’s leadership has transformed Colt from a telecoms company into a digital infrastructure company leading in the area of ESG, driving innovation, and underpinning the technologies of the future.

Mentoring future technology leaders

Keri takes very seriously her responsibility and influence as a leader to drive change across the tech industry. It’s why Keri is a mentor for organizations including PowerWomen and the GLF Next-Gen Leaders program.

Driving digital inclusion in telecoms

Keri has helped pioneer and develop the industry’s first inclusion and diversity score (IDS) with TMForum. As President of the Global Telecom Women’s Network, she led a call to action for all CEOs and boards toward digital inclusion. She has joined the board of Change the Face Alliance, an industry-wide initiative which calls on businesses to take action to increase diversity, equality, and inclusion in telecoms.

Progressing workplace equality and sustainability

Keri works hard to remove barriers that prevent women from progressing. She isn't afraid of tackling ‘taboo’ topics such as menopause in the workplace and bringing them into the open. Keri leads from the front with 50/50 gender parity in her Executive Leadership Team.

Keri is also a champion for sustainability across the industry, leading Colt to join the top 1% of businesses by securing a Platinum EcoVadis rating for outstanding ESG performance.

Since Keri was appointed CEO in 2020, Colt’s employee engagement scores have risen significantly and Colt has consistently outperformed the telecoms industry norm.

Keri has also led the transformation of strategies and policies to make Colt more inclusive, including:

• Gender Action Plan to improve gender balance throughout the business
• RISE – Colt's program for emerging talent from underrepresented backgrounds
• Allyship in Action program aimed at bringing allyship to life
• Optimizing Accessibility – Colt's five-year accessibility improvement plan
• Neurodiversity research and awareness
• Building inclusion into people processes
• Menopause Reframed - Colt's menopause awareness campaign
• Pride cross-company collaboration, supporting LGBTQ+ colleagues in tech
• Colt joined TC4RE - the technology community for Racial Equality
• Global Transition at Work policy
• Domestic Abuse Support policy
• Global Workplace Adjustments policy

Under Keri’s leadership, customer experience is built into Colt’s DNA. In an industry not known for its track record in this key area, Colt has moved the dial and regularly achieves NPS scores in the high 60s and 70s (against an industry average of 28).

Showcasing women making a real difference

Open to senior leads from all sizes and types of organizations, Management Today's list showcases inspirational individuals who have made a real, measurable difference. That could mean driving increased revenues, making a business more profitable, optimizing the efficiency of a particular function, or spearheading successful market expansion. These extraordinary women are evaluated by a distinguished panel of their peers, featuring leaders from prominent UK businesses.

Enjoy a rewarding leadership career at Colt Technology Services

Colt's inclusive workspace and leaders like Keri create an environment where all women are actively encouraged to be curious, to contribute to the culture, and to challenge the status quo.

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