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Kathryn Higgs

United Nations - Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer - Director - Keynote Speaker - Executive Coach

Professional Background

Kathryn Higgs is an award-winning and globally recognized leader in business ethics, carving out a space as a thriving businesswoman, executive coach, and keynote speaker. With a strong commitment to instilling integrity and purpose into business frameworks, Kathryn’s career showcases her belief that successful enterprises are built on ethical foundations. Her professionalism and dedication have gained her substantial recognition, including being named in The Lawyer's Hot 100 of 2017, a prestigious accolade that honors extraordinary legal professionals in the UK demonstrating groundbreaking work and meaningful impacts in their fields.

Throughout her illustrious career, Kathryn has taken on prominent roles in various high-profile organizations, including serving as the Director and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer at the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). Her previous positions demonstrate a robust trajectory marked by a focus on designing and implementing ethical policies and practices. As the Acting Business Integrity Lead at Transparency International, and later as the Director of the Business Integrity Programme at Transparency International UK, Kathryn played a critical role in advocating for corporate transparency and fostering ethical compliance on a global scale.

Moreover, Kathryn brought her extensive legal acumen to the corporate sector as the Ethics & Compliance Senior Counsel at Tesco, where she led the organization’s ethics and compliance strategies, ensuring that integrity remained central to its operations. Her leadership experience also includes serving as the Chief Compliance Officer at Balfour Beatty plc and contributing as a Non-Executive Director at Abbotsleigh School, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to education and ethics alike.

With experience spanning both the legal and business sectors, Kathryn’s perspective on ethics in business is both practical and insightful. Her ability to achieve meaningful cultural change has cemented her reputation as a thought leader in the industry, inspiring others to adopt ethical practices within their organizations.

Education and Achievements

Kathryn Higgs’s academic journey is as impressive as her professional one. She has cultivated a vast knowledge base through rigorous studies at notable institutions. Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from the University of Sydney, reflecting a strong foundation in both legal principles and human behavior—two integral areas when it comes to creating ethics-centric strategies in business.

She further expanded her expertise with a Master of Laws (Hons) from the highly esteemed University of Cambridge, showcasing her dedication to mastering legal concepts critical for functioning within complex organizational environments. Additionally, Kathryn pursued a Masters in Executive Coaching, specializing in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Ashridge Executive Education, part of Hult International Business School. This program enabled her to intricately blend coaching practices with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics, allowing her to empower individuals and businesses to thrive ethically.

Kathryn's commitment to ongoing professional development and her eagerness to embrace learning contribute significantly to her effectiveness as a coach and leader. Her combination of legal knowledge, psychological insight, and executive coaching skills equips her uniquely to facilitate discussions and changes regarding business ethics.

Achievements

Kathryn's achievements reflect her tireless mission to infuse integrity into the very fabric of business. Recognized as a leader in her field, she was included in The Lawyer's Hot 100 in 2017, acknowledging her transformative contributions to the practice of law and business ethics across the UK. This accolade symbolizes her groundbreaking work and impact, setting a standard for lawyers and business leaders alike.

Her extensive career has seen her navigate numerous sectors, implementing integrity programs and influencing corporate cultures to foster environments where ethical behavior is the norm. Through her roles, notably as the Director of Ethics and Compliance at high-profile organizations like Tesco and Balfour Beatty, Kathryn has established protocols and training that resonate with employees at all levels, strengthening reporting mechanisms, and enhancing ethical decision-making across businesses.

Kathryn's influence extends through her public speaking engagements where she inspires audiences to prioritize ethics as a substantial aspect of their business strategies. Her passion for impactful coaching allows her to connect with business leaders, guiding them to recognize the long-term benefits of ethical practices. Through her expertise, she fosters change that transcends company policies and is deeply rooted in corporate cultures, encouraging leaders to prioritize character over crisis management.

Kathryn Higgs continues to be a formidable force in the realm of business ethics, profoundly impacting the course of ethical standards in organizations worldwide. Her remarkable career—rich with experience, recognition, and a steadfast commitment to integrity—is an inspirational testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership. As businesses worldwide increasingly acknowledge the need for ethical governance, leaders like Kathryn pave the way for a more principled, integrity-focused corporate landscape.

Related Questions

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Kathryn Higgs
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Location

Copenhagen Metropolitan Area