Karen Richardson
Independent non-executive director
Appointed:
1 January 2021
Board and committee activities:
Chair of the digital advisory council and member of the audit committee
Outside interests:
Partner at Artius Capital Partners
Non-executive director (lead independent director) of Exponent, Inc.
Nationality:
American
Career summary
During her 30-year career in the technology and software industry, Karen has held senior operating roles in the public and private technology sector. She was vice president of Sales at Netscape Communications Corporation from 1995 to 1998 before embarking on several senior executive roles at E.piphany from 1998, including chief executive officer from 2003 to 2006. In 2011 she became a non-executive director of BT plc where she served for seven years. She also served as a director of Worldpay Inc. (Worldpay Group plc) between 2016 and 2019 and was chair at Origin Materials Inc. between 2021 and 2024. Karen returned to the board of Exponent Inc. as director in early 2023.
Skills and experience
Karen’s 30 years’ experience in the technology industry means that she brings exceptional knowledge of digital, technology, cyber and IT security matters from working with innovative companies in Silicon Valley. Karen is considered to have the necessary skills and experience to help drive strong performance, in particular across the growth businesses of Convenience & Mobility and Gas & Low Carbon Energy.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University and was awarded distinctions from the Stanford Industrial Engineering Department and the American Institute of Industrial Engineers.