In a time where industries are evolving faster than ever, leadership rooted in clarity, adaptability and trust is what truly drives impact. As part of our Women in Business series, we shine a spotlight on professionals who challenge convention, elevate their teams, and lead with purpose. This week, we meet a leader who embodies all three.
Meet Karen Mulcahy
Karen Mulcahy is an experienced senior tax lead, currently Indirect Tax Director at Oxford Nanopore Technologies, a biotechnology company specialising in DNA and RNA sequencing.
She has held senior tax roles at leading brands including Selfridges and Amazon, and is known for combining commercial insight with deep technical expertise.
Karen leads with clarity and precision, implementing scalable frameworks that drive both operational and people development. She is passionate about mentoring future leaders and believes that sustainable leadership starts with trust, exposure and shared knowledge.
Listening, learning and knowing when to speak up
Karen’s leadership style has been shaped through years of observing and learning from those she admires, both within and beyond the workplace. “I’ve learned the importance of finding the right environment to thrive in,” she shares. “And of not being afraid to speak out when change is needed.”
For her, great leadership is never one-size-fits-all. It is about identifying what ‘good’ means for each individual and delivering in a way that motivates and supports your team.
Leading through transformation, not disruption
As a senior voice in the tax profession, Karen has seen how automation and AI are changing the landscape. But she brings a refreshing perspective. Rather than viewing technology as a threat, she sees it as a valuable enabler.
“AI is undoubtedly changing how we work, but it should not replace deep knowledge,” she explains. “It should support better work by speeding up routine tasks and freeing us to focus on what really matters.”
Innovation, in her view, must always be grounded in judgement, experience and professional rigour.
Productivity with purpose
Karen’s approach to productivity is both intentional and effective. Introduced to the Franklin Covey framework during her time in a global corporation, she adopted a more strategic mindset towards planning, prioritisation and focus.
“It’s amazing how much time can be lost on unimportant tasks,” she says. “With a bit of structure, the resulting benefits can be huge.”
She also made intentional changes to her working life by reducing her week to four days and cutting her commute. The result is a rhythm that delivers the same level of impact, with greater balance and clarity.
Mentorship that works both ways
Throughout her career, mentorship has been a constant. Karen values it not only as a mentee, but as someone who actively invests in developing others. She sees it as a mutual exchange, not a one-sided transfer of advice.
“I’ve refined my approach over time,” she notes. “Every mentoring relationship is different, but when it works, it’s transformational.”
For her, the next generation of leaders need more than just technical skills. They need exposure, stretch opportunities and support. It is about building an environment where learning is part of the culture.
It's about impact, not identity
When asked what being a woman in business means to her, Karen’s answer is refreshingly honest.
“It’s not about women. It’s about people,” she says. “To be honest, ‘woman’ titles turn me off. I want to be recognised for my contributions, not because I’m a woman.”
Her philosophy is simple. Find the leaders who inspire you, whoever they are, and learn from them.
