Hey, I’m Chris and I care deeply about building strong product organisations with inclusive cultures. Oh, and hiking.

Chris Compston, wearing a white t-shirt, is holding a remote control in his right hand and gesturing with his left hand during a presentation. Behind him is a large screen displaying geometric shapes.

Originally from West Yorkshire, I’ve spent nearly 20 years working across Europe and the US with companies and clients of all shapes and sizes.

I’ve had the chance to work in many different roles across design and product, along the way I’ve seen first-hand what makes teams thrive and what holds them back.

What I’ve learned is that great outcomes don’t just come from talent or effort, but from clarity, inclusivity, and strong, repeatable practices.

The most successful organisations I’ve worked with are those that build a clear operating model, one that helps every person understand where they’re going, why it matters and how they can contribute.

That belief is what led me to found my consultancy in London two years ago, where I focus on designing and implementing product operating models.

With me you’ll get a working style that is authentic and often direct, blended with empathy, humility and a desire for progress. My values are important to me, and I bring depth, perspective and hard-earned experience to every engagement. At the heart of it all, I care about building strong, inclusive cultures where people thrive and results follow.

I’ve also been public speaking for over 10 years. Today, as a recognised industry voice, I speak at international conferences on product operating models, product leadership and organisational design.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me hiking, learning how to create music with synthesisers, or taking my camera out for street photography. I’m the type of person who can talk about almost anything and often can be persuaded to do so - ask me anything!

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  • As a firm believer that inclusive teams are those that bring the most value through diversity, I encourage an environment and culture of inclusion and belonging with all my clients and colleagues. We should all be able to bring our whole-selves to the workplace without fear of reprisal.

  • Clarity drives everything I do. I’ve seen teams with talent and creativity fail when they’re not aligned on what success looks like. For me, clarity means everyone knows the goal, why it matters and what decisions they’re empowered to make. It turns complexity into action, empowers people to contribute confidently and keeps progress moving in the right direction.

  • I believe the best outcomes come from being honest that we don’t always know what to do, but are willing to figure it out together. Humility means listening as much as leading, learning as much as teaching and approaching every challenge with the mindset that collaboration always beats ego.

  • I’ve always valued getting things done over getting them perfect. For me, pragmatism means focusing on what’s possible right now, using the resources we have and making meaningful progress instead of waiting for ideal conditions. Action over perfection drives impact.

  • What you see is what you get with me. I strive to be genuine in every interaction, treating everyone with the same respect and honesty. Being authentic means creating relationships and outcomes that are real, reliable and built on trust.

My Values

  • "Chris is my go-to for thoughtful conversation on the most difficult topics, organising my thoughts on strategy and resolving conflict within the teams."

    Lauren Saunders
    Product Director

  • "Chris is one of the few people I trust implicitly, he’ll always tell me how things really are. He doesn't just present issues without considering solutions."

    Dilraj Aujla
    Head of International Business

  • A young woman with long brown hair smiling against a dark background.

    "Chris always creates a great atmosphere for debate, being assertive and asking pertinent questions, everyone feels safe and comfortable to speak up."

    Patrícia Neto
    Group Product Manager

  • Close-up portrait of a middle-aged man with a bald head, gray beard, and mustache, smiling slightly, wearing a blue polo shirt with white stripes on the collar, against a light blue background.

    "Chris possess qualities I have seen in only a few people; accountability, ownership, resilience and empathy. These are truly great qualities that set him apart."

    Michael Beaven
    Executive Leader