Hi, I’m Craig Unsworth.
I work with companies as a Portfolio Chief Product Officer and a Non-Executive Director.
I leverage product, change, and strategy to build growth. I work with Private Equity firms and the companies they invest in.
I’m best known for my delivery of ambitious Moonshot projects and the innovation cultures they create.
I focus on growth - attempting to leverage product, technology, and innovation in order to add value to companies.
I do this through Board level strategy, product, innovation, transformation, and change leadership.
I like to look at things from a different angle, find new ways of doing things, build new products and services, and deliver projects that feel impossible.
I’m usually measured on contribution to company valuation as part of a capital event plan.
This website showcases what I do, how I think, how I work, what I’ve done, and where my primary skills are utilised.
If you’d like to discuss how we might work together please get in touch. In the first instance, connect with me via LinkedIn.
What I do
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Portfolio CPO
I’ve been working in the capacity of Chief Product Officer (whether full time, interim, or fractional) for 15 years now. In that time I’ve led on customer-facing, innovation-led, and transformation-driving product strategy.
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Consulting / Advisory
I regularly work on short term consulting and advisory projects. These are usually product strategy or innovation capability related; either standalone or attached to larger change or transformation projects.
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Non-Executive Director
I’ve worked as a Non-Executive Director since 2008 and the past 17 years have seen me take on more than 10 Non-Executive Director / Chair roles. I really enjoy adding to a Board’s composition and helping build the equity story.
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Investor DD and VCP
Working with PE, family office, VC, and founder-led companies, I have significant capital event, due diligence, and value creation experience. I’ve been both buy-side and sell-side; and have been an independent adviser on more than 50 transactions.
In the last decade I’ve become known for product-centric Moonshot projects that transform companies.
On stage, in a workshop, at an away day, or hosting a webinar; I’m an experienced keynote speaker, panellist, and host.
What I know
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Product
I have 20 years’ experience of product vision, product strategy, product leadership, and product proposition.
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Technology
From platform strategy to leveraging AI and machine learning, I focus on productising technology for growth.
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Strategy
Everything starts with strategy. I’ve worked across the full spectrum of corporate strategy in my career.
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CX
Customers and users are a core consideration in every aspect of what I do. I’m always focused on their experience.
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Innovation
I work to the mantra of “if you want it, sometimes you have to create it” and love building innovation teams.
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Change
Everything I work on is about change. I’ve learned how to best navigate this for long-lasting transformation.
Where I work
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Private Equity
I’ve worked with private equity firms, their funds, and their owned companies / invested assets extensively.
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Founders & VC
I really enjoy working with founder-led and VC-backed companies; helping leadership teams get to that next stage.
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B2B
Much of my experience has been within B2B (or B2B2C) environments. I enjoy the fast pace they demand.
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SaaS
Software, and specifically Software as a Service, is the vertical I’ve worked within most over the years.
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Data & Information
I’ve worked extensively with businesses built on data, information services, and data-led content.
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Luxury
When I work with B2C clients it’s usually in highly curated / high value sectors like travel, hospitality, and retail.
Recent Articles
Craig Unsworth, FRSA
I am a Fellow of the RSA (FRSA). The RSA has been at the forefront of significant social impact for over 260 years. Providing platforms, opportunities, and networks for all those who share a vision to connect, engage, share ideas and expertise.
The RSA is all about Uniting People And Ideas - championing curiosity, creativity, and courage to inspire better ways of thinking and doing. Through a proven change process, rigorous research and design skills, innovative ideas platforms, and its wider convening power the RSA deliver solutions for lasting change.