Leader’s Corner: Rachel Laycock, Thoughtworks

Discover how the CTO of Thoughtworks, navigates leadership, balancing her career with family and championing diversity in the technology industry in this exclusive Leader's Corner interview.

Rachel Laycock, Chief Technology Officer at Thoughtworks, exemplifies a leadership style rooted in saying "yes" to opportunities and navigating the challenges that come with them. From her unexpected entry into the technology world to her unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration and diversity, Laycock’s journey offers valuable insights into balancing a demanding career with personal responsibilities.

Rachel Laycock: Leader’s Corner insights

• From music to tech—a career pivot

• Embracing opportunities

• Balancing act: career and family

• Tough calls 

• Championing diversity and collaboration

From music to tech—a career pivot

Laycock’s journey into technology was not direct. Originally pursuing a career in sound engineering and media technology, she discovered her knack for programming during university. “Most people struggle with [programming courses], and I was like, this is fun,” she recalls.

Encouraged by a lecturer who recognised her talent, Laycock pivoted to software development. This unexpected shift led her into an industry that was rapidly evolving and full of opportunities to influence change—a stark contrast to the more static career paths her peers followed.

Embracing opportunities

A single word encapsulates Laycock’s journey in the technology sector: "yes." This mindset of embracing every opportunity with a positive affirmation has been pivotal in her career. Reflecting on her journey, Laycock shares that at every turn, she chose to accept challenges first and figure out the logistics later. 

"There’s always a million reasons to say no," she explains, "but the worst that can happen is it doesn’t work out, and then you know you can go and do something else." This proactive approach has allowed her to navigate a demanding career while balancing personal responsibilities, particularly the challenges of raising young children while assuming a global executive role.

Balancing act: career and family

Taking on the role of CTO while parenting a four-year-old and a two-year-old was no small feat. “That's kind of a crazy age to take on a huge global executive role and to have small children at home.” Laycock admits that the balance between a high-stakes career and family life is a "daily struggle." However, she was determined to demonstrate that one could excel in a leadership role without sacrificing personal commitments. 

"I wanted to show that you could do a role like this and still have a family, and still show up for your kids' events," Laycock emphasises. By setting her own terms, including a manageable schedule and travel commitments, she’s been able to fulfil both her professional and personal roles effectively. This honest acknowledgment of the challenges women face in leadership positions is part of what makes Rachel a relatable and inspiring figure.

Tough calls 

Leadership often involves making difficult decisions, and Laycock recounts one such instance where she had to let go of a highly experienced but toxic team member. “Letting people go and asking them to leave an organisation is probably one of the worst things about being a leader.”

Despite the concerns about losing this individual’s expertise, the decision ultimately led to a more positive and productive work environment. “In the long run, it was a really good decision,” she reflects, noting the increased confidence and collaboration among the remaining team members.

Championing diversity and collaboration

Throughout her 20-year career, Laycock has been driven by a desire to see more women in senior technology roles. She has been instrumental in fostering greater collaboration within Thoughtworks by establishing global service lines that unify efforts across regions. 

This initiative, though met with resistance initially, has paid dividends by enabling regions to share knowledge, build capabilities, and deliver consistent client experiences. Laycock takes pride in the growth this collaboration has spurred, particularly in regions like North America and India, which have benefited from the shared expertise.

“Now, I see more and more women, especially in an event like this, so many female executives up there talking about technology and how it impacts their roles and the world. And that's the kind of sea change that really keeps me excited.”

Watch the full Leader's Corner interview with Rachel Laycock.

Leader's Corner: check out our line-up of HotTopics Leaders Profile interviews.

HotTopics produces interviews with a diverse array of leaders, C-suite marketing and technology leaders. These take place in-person during our much-anticipated flagship event, The Studio, and virtually with leaders based all over the world. Learn more about what makes these leaders tick, and their experiences and expertise that have supported them in their careers so far.