Karen Williams

Enthusiast
DISC Type : i

Chief Financial Officer at American Express Global Business Travel

United Kingdom

Overview

Karen Williams is the CFO of American Express Global Business Travel, bringing over 17 years of global experience from the FMCG and Financial Services sectors. A graduate of the University of Leicester, she is a strategic thinker known for her commercial expertise and leadership in change management.

Outside of her financial leadership role, Karen is a passionate advocate for mentorship and forging unique career paths. She is an avid reader of books on leadership and personal development and is actively involved in programs aimed at empowering women in business.

Her own journey to the CFO role was far from typical, a path she uses to inspire resilience in others.

Personality Overview

Non-Confrontational

Amiable & Agreeable

Consensus Focused

They are more about building relationships than just cutting deals.  They tend to be agreeable by nature, so take their promises with a pinch of salt.
 Unlike D or C types, they are convinced more by stories and testimonials.

Topics They Care About

Women in Leadership
As a member of the WiHTL CFO Board, she actively champions and welcomes new members to the Global Women Leaders Programme, supporting exceptional women in business.
Financial Storytelling
Focuses on using key metrics, like Adjusted Gross Profit Margin, to accurately measure and communicate the company's strong financial performance and momentum to stakeholders.
Non-Traditional Careers
Frequently speaks about her own unconventional path to becoming a CFO, emphasizing the importance of resilience and following a unique professional journey.

Media Appearances

The Mentoring Round | Karen Williams, CFO, American Express Global Business Travel. Featured in CFO Thought Leader

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Karen Williams Of American Express Global Business Travel (Amex ...). Featured in Medium (Authority Magazine)

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Karen Williams | Leadership | Amex GBT. Featured in American Express Global Business Travel (Corporate Bio)

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Work History

7-2023
Chief Financial Officer at American Express Global Business Travel
5-2022 - 7-2023
Deputy Chief Financial Officer at American Express Global Business Travel
10-2019 - 5-2022
SVP, Head of Global Strategy and Planing IHG at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®)
1-2018 - 10-2019
CFO at Avios - Leaders in Travel Rewards
10-2015 - 12-2017
CFO, Commercial at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®)

Education

1995 - 1997
BA Hons from University of Leicester

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 14 Location : United Kingdom Job Level : Leadership Designation : Chief Financial Officer at American Express Global Business Travel
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Insights For Selling To Karen

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Give them the opportunity to lead the conversation where possible
  • Ask them how their day is going or exchange some other pleasantries
  • Invite them for a lunch or a drink/coffee

DONT's

  • Avoid overloading them with too much information
  • Don’t push them for a direct ‘no’, take lack of ‘yes’ as ‘no’ after some time
  • Don’t be excessively objective, be like a storyteller with them

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Karen is

  • Relationships and rapport matter to them, but so does the value of the product.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Karen

  • They are unlikely to say no directly.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Karen move?

  • They are not very fast decision makers, even while they continue to stay engaged.
  • Can Karen take some risk or not?

  • If it seems really necessary, they can take small risks.

You And Karen

Personality Compatibility


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