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Chris Smith

Venture builder and global leader of Leap by McKinsey’s gen AI platform

Chris builds and scales ventures for his clients by combining hands-on operational leadership with deep expertise in technology, AI, and product development. As a global leader of Leap by McKinsey’s gen AI platform for new-venture building, Chris has integrated gen AI into the core of business strategies to help organizations redefine industries and unlock new growth opportunities.

Prior to joining McKinsey, Chris held leadership roles, including CDO for the AA (a major UK roadside assistance company) and multiple CTO positions. This extensive experience provides him with a practical perspective on successfully implementing technology-driven transformations, focusing not just on strategy but on delivering real-world impact at scale.

Chris began his career as a software engineer in San Francisco and has since worked across a variety of industries, including media, mobility, entertainment, banking, health and wellness, and retail. He also founded a start-up, Discussion Point, and led the venture investment team at KPMG.

Published work

Disrupting the disruptors: Business building for banks,” McKinsey & Company, April 2021

The data gambit: How large B2B companies can outmaneuver start-ups,” McKinsey & Company, January 2021

How companies can help midlevel managers navigate agile transformations,” McKinsey & Company, April 2019

Five cultural changes you need for DevOps to work,” McKinsey & Company, February 2017

Past experience

Discussion Point
Founder

KPMG
Director and CTO, digital, analytics, and innovation

BJSS
Head of retail practice

Accenture
Manager

Education

University of Glasgow
MA, management studies and computer science