Vodafone UK’s Head of Indirect Kathryn Platt takes her responsibility as a role model for women in the comms sector very seriously, promoting inclusion and equal opportunities while also making a positive impact on the growth ambitions of channel partners. Here, she shares insights into her own journey, what makes her tick and why she holds the channel in such high esteem.
What was your first job in telecoms?
Old-fashioned box shifting selling Motorola, Nokia and Ericsson kit. I then moved to Yes Telecom which was bought by Vodafone in 2006. Over the years I’ve held various roles, mainly leading our partner sales teams as well as time spent in a commercial role spanning both the direct and indirect side of the business. I have been working in the channel for over 20 years and remain as passionate about helping partners succeed as I did when I first started. I love the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, agility and drive for success from partners. This got me hooked on the indirect channel.
What is your biggest career achievement?
Securing the role of Head of Indirect at Vodafone UK. This position has always been a dream of mine, especially as my experience with partners and leadership has grown over the years. Leading the channel has been a long-term ambition, and achieving this goal has been incredibly fulfilling. It symbolises the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, and I am grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way.
What are your priorities right now?
To continue the growth and success we have had in the channel over recent years. Key to this is partner support, enablement and insight to support growth. This prioritisation is essential to ensure that partners have the necessary resources and knowledge to thrive in the market. By providing robust support and enabling partners with the right tools and insights we aim to foster their growth and success, which in turn strengthens our overall market position. FY26 is set to be an exciting year for our channel – watch this space.
How far does partner collaboration feature in your planning?
Our recent Partner of the Future research explored the emerging needs of partners and their end customers. The findings showed that all partners would value greater collaboration with vendors, particularly to drive sales and marketing. We have taken this onboard and are committed to working strategically with our partners, including investing in both capability and support, to help them grow and succeed in the market. My team and I actively seek out and create opportunities to bring together our community of partners to gain insights and share ideas.
Where is the biggest opportunity for partners?
Partners have, and always will have, a fundamental role to play in supporting more businesses on their digital transformation journey. According to our recent research, 81 per cent of end users said business interest in emerging technologies has increased in the past six months, and 96 per cent said that emerging technology would be part of their company’s vision of the future. This presents a significant opportunity, and our partners are already doing a brilliant job to maximise this. However, partners must build on their unrivalled understanding of the market to work with the right vendors and help bridge the knowledge gap for customers, turning tech into tangible business benefits and return on investment.
What attracts you to Vodafone?
One of the things I love about working at Vodafone is the constant evolution, from a mobile only brand to the acquisition of Cable&Wireless which brought fixed partners into our portfolio, through to the upcoming merger with 3. It’s been an exciting journey full of growth and innovation.
In hindsight, what would you have done differently in your career?
I would have aimed to secure the role of Head of Indirect sooner by being more explicit about what I wanted and my timeline to get there. I wasn’t always as outspoken about my ambitions as I am today for a combination of reasons, such as not wanting to appear pushy or over confident, not wanting to fail as well as thinking I had to put my career on hold to focus on growing my family. Saying it out loud was the first step to making it happen.
What other factors have influenced your career?
I feel lucky to have had some crucial allies and mentors that nurtured my talent and supported my progress. I have always tried to follow their example as a leader myself. I’m dedicated to helping other women navigate their careers and achieve their goals by sharing my experiences and providing support. As part of this I’m incredibly proud to sponsor the upcoming Aequitas Network event (www.aequitas.network). I hope I can contribute to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in the industry. More business leaders with influence need to use their status as a platform for change that benefits colleagues, customers and society.
If you could change any area of the comms industry what would it be?
Although the channel sector has made progress in recent years to become more diverse, I often find that I’m still the only female in the room. While there is still more to do from a diversity perspective, I’m proud to say that my team at Vodafone is 50 per cent female. I would like to see a concerted effort among all stakeholders in the industry to keep moving forward, offering new opportunities to people from different backgrounds. Education is a really important part of inspiring a greater mix of people into the sector. It’s not just an environment where technology expertise is needed, but also one where customer-facing soft skills such as account management, marketing and sales play a crucial role in day-to-day operations.
Do you have a role model?
My biggest role model is my dad. He was the operations and sales leader for a number of different crane companies (yes, these things need to be stored and sold!) and worked his way up thanks to an incredible work ethic and ability to listen to what people needed – then helping them get it. He was well respected and known by everyone in the industry and, without realising it, I think a lot of that approach has rubbed off on me.
What’s the best and least best part of your job?
The best part is working with my team and partners. I find it incredibly rewarding and energising to collaborate with such talented individuals and see the positive impact we can make together. But balancing my career with being a mum is challenging. I am hugely fortunate to have an amazing husband, a solid support network and a supportive and flexible work environment, but keeping things perfectly balanced is hard.
The best piece of advice you have been given
Don’t sit back and admire problems, do something about them.
One example of something you’ve overcome
My journey to becoming a parent was not straightforward. My husband and I faced numerous obstacles along the way that were emotionally and physically demanding. After exploring various options we decided to pursue surrogacy. Today, I am incredibly grateful for our daughter and the journey that brought her into our life. It taught me resilience and the importance of perseverance. It has inspired me to support others who may be facing similar challenges, and to advocate for greater awareness and understanding of fertility issues and the impact it has on work and careers.
How do you relax?
Catching up with family and friends over great food. Experiencing a new restaurant or cuisine is a highlight and I love cooking at home. I’m also working to balance my love of food with a good exercise regime.