Sophia Oulton

Foundations of focus‍‍

I’ve always enjoyed challenges that demand both focus and adaptability. Sport shaped that early on for me too: I competed at national level in athletics and netball, and later represented the University of Cambridge in the Blues Netball Team, while studying Natural Sciences. Balancing training with my degree in Cellular and Developmental Biology taught me how to manage intensity and stay disciplined.

Inside the boardroom, early on

My career began at Barclays, where I had the chance to meet senior leaders and see strategy from the inside. It was my first real glimpse of how high-stakes decisions are made and the importance of clarity when complexity is high. From there I joined Simon-Kucher, diving into the specialist world of pricing & packaging and consulting projects, before spending six years in industry at an online business. That mix gave me both strong analytical foundations and the experience of delivering change from within.

Drawn to consulting again

I moved back to consulting when the moment was right for me; because I’d missed the pace, the challenge, and the variety of projects. At Northlane, I’ve found the balance I was looking for, working side by side with teams and turning complexity into a momentum for change. Pricing is often the entry point, but for me it’s about creating alignment and clarity across an often much broader business challenge.

Life with multiple gears

Outside of work, I’m raising two energetic young boys who make sure life is never dull. Juggling this with a career isn’t always easy, but it keeps me focused, and reminds me of my resilience and adaptability. Whether on a run, in a client workshop, or navigating parenthood, I try to bring the same mindset: work hard, stay curious, and keep moving forward.