An example of a squiggly career, Kirsty MacDiarmid began her journey over 20 years ago with a degree in Fashion Design and Marketing. Her path has seen her move through creative roles in retail and consultancy, into construction project management, and on to strategic leadership positions within major corporations.
Kirsty has led large-scale concept rollouts for retailers including New Look, River Island, Hugo Boss, and the Foschini Group. She has also project-managed the construction of several headquarters, notably for Jaguar Land Rover and BT Group, and delivered the UK’s first battery testing facility – among many other diverse and impactful building projects.
In her current role as Senior Manager for BT’s UK Office Estate, Kirsty shapes the strategic direction of a complex portfolio. She excels in building compelling business cases, influencing senior stakeholders, and leading high-performing teams to create exceptional workplace environments – something she finds deeply rewarding.
A passionate advocate for inclusive design, Kirsty plays an active role on the Property Leadership Team, championing inclusion and equity across the workplace. She believes that stepping outside your comfort zone is essential for personal growth and encourages those still exploring their career path to be bold, curious, and open to the unexpected.
Outside of work, Kirsty finds joy in long walks with close friends, enjoying the arts, travelling extensively and learning to swing dance – always looking to embrace new experiences.
