Christopher Lethbridge

Digital Product, Technology, and Operations Leader with 18+ years' experience driving organisational transformation, scaling digital teams, and delivering complex digital products for global brands including Microsoft, Greggs, O2, GSK, and Renault. A proven leader at all levels with a strong balance of strategic vision, commercial acumen, and hands-on product expertise, I excel at turning business challenges into structured product strategies and operational models that accelerate growth. Skilled at leading multi-disciplinary and international teams, shaping digital roadmaps, improving delivery maturity, and building sustainable, scalable operations.

Recognised for influencing at board and executive level, modernising delivery frameworks, and helping drive consistent year-on-year commercial performance.

International Development Co-ordinator & Product Manager - Paprika (SaaS) - Kent

(2024-01)

Lead the expansion of Paprika's international development capability while shaping product direction across its SaaS platform.

• Built, coached, and managed distributed software development teams across multiple regions.
• Directed product development initiatives, ensuring quality, predictability, and roadmap alignment.
• Implemented improved engineering standards, documentation practices, and development processes.
• Partnered with Product and engineering leads to define feature specifications and execution plans.
• Transitioned the organisation to a scalable, remote-first development model.
• Introduced new delivery and collaboration tools, improving communication and visibility.
• Reduced time-to-market for product features through improved planning and processes.
• Directed the strategy and delivery of a full UX/UI transformation of the product.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Delivery & Operations Leader - HYD – Digital Product Agency - London

(2018-09 - 2023-09)

Executive leader overseeing operations, delivery, product strategy, and commercial performance for an 80+ person digital agency.

• Defined and executed operational strategies aligned with growth and commercial targets.
• Led senior leadership across Product, Delivery, Operations, Client Services, and Sales.
• Directed revenue operations, forecasting, margin performance, and KPIs.
• Strengthened delivery maturity by modernising frameworks, processes, and governance.
• Influenced product strategy for major clients, aligning digital solutions with commercial goals.
• Played a key role in organisational design, workforce planning, and talent strategy.
• Scaled the agency to over £4m annual turnover, improving profitability.
• Transitioned the company from Waterfall to Agile, increasing delivery velocity.
• Created managed-service offerings, increasing recurring revenue.
• Achieved 90%+ staff retention through improved culture and leadership.
• Introduced time-tracking, resource, and scheduling frameworks that strengthened P&L.
• Increased year-on-year turnover through stronger delivery reliability and client relationships.

Head of Products & Senior Project Manager - HYD - London

(2013-10 - 2018-09)

Owned product strategy, discovery, and delivery for major digital products and new ventures.

• Defined product vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmaps.
• Led full-lifecycle product development from ideation to optimisation.
• Conducted customer and market research to inform product prioritisation.
• Managed planning, feature definition, backlog management, and stakeholder alignment.
• Oversaw budgets, risks, and project governance.
• Launched and scaled multiple digital start-ups and digital propositions.
• Delivered a #1-rated mobile app with industry-leading adoption.
• Introduced formal Product Management capability into the agency.

Delivery Director - Nimbletank - London

(2013-06 - 2013-10)

Directed delivery operations across the agency.

• Implemented new delivery frameworks, improving success rates.
• Led delivery of a Cannes Lions–winning website.

Head of Delivery & Project Manager - YOC - London

(2011-06 - 2013-06)

Provided operational and delivery leadership for large-scale programmes.

Project Manager - Mobile Interactive Group - London

(2007-11 - 2011-06)

Managed delivery of websites, apps, and digital installations for major brands.

BA - Media Studies & Information Technology - University of East London (2003)

GNVQ - Media Studies - South Devon College (2000)

GCSEs - King Edward VI College (1997)