PRODUCT DESIGN LEADER
For 15+ years, I’ve helped organisations navigate change, turn complex customer and business challenges into clear design direction, and build high-performing teams.
I create the right conditions for teams to deliver their best work by creating psychological. I stay close enough to the work to raise the bar, while giving people the ownership and support to grow.
01
Make it safe to disagree
Psychological safety is non-negotiable. People do stronger work when they can challenge assumptions, share uncertainty and hear difficult feedback without fear.
02
Give people the why — and the room
Clear direction and real autonomy belong together. I define the outcome, decision boundaries and quality bar, then create space for the team to own the path.
03
Turn noise into direction
I am at my best in complex environments: connecting perspectives, breaking silos and helping Product, Design and Engineering move toward a shared direction.
04
Stay close enough to help
I combine strategic leadership with a hands-on understanding of product and craft. I remove blockers, ask the difficult questions and step in where my support will move the work forward.
Selected work
About
People-first leadership, with a high bar for craft.
Currently, I lead the ecommerce Upper Funnel design team at Decathlon, driving user-centered strategies in a company undergoing digital transformation.
I’m known as a caring, calm, pragmatic and approachable leader. I care deeply about psychological safety, combining it with accountability. I give teams clear direction, honest feedback and the support they need to take ownership and grow.
Beyond my day-to-day role, I am passionate about giving back to the design community through teaching Product Design courses and mentoring designers at various stages of their careers.
Experience
TESTIMONIALS
What colleagues say
“Margot’s strongest skills are people leadership and development; emotional intelligence and calm under pressure; creating structure and operational clarity; and building trusted partnerships across Design, Product and Engineering.
She is particularly strong at getting the best out of people. She creates trust, offers grounded coaching and helps people grow while keeping delivery moving. She brings stability in moments of ambiguity, and her ability to create clearer ways of working and align across counterparts has enabled both team performance and business impact.”
Constantine Gavrykov
Product Design Director,
Decathlon
“I was lucky enough to work under Margot for five years at Farfetch. I began working under her management as a Junior and grew immensely through her daily leadership and mentorship.
Margot has an innate ability to develop the people she manages. She communicates feedback clearly while allowing space for ownership, and creates a safe environment for growth. She listens, encourages upward feedback, and played a huge role in getting me to where I am today.”
Naomi Baxter
Senior Product Designer,
Farfetch
“Margot had a knack for elevating her team, guiding them to excel through a positive culture and effective mentoring. Her exceptional stakeholder-management skills, particularly with senior leadership, were pivotal to several project successes.
She communicates complex research, feedback and ideas clearly, and her persuasive presentations significantly influenced critical decisions—always prioritising the customer’s perspective.”
Mohammed Said
VP of Product,
Browns Fashion
“Margot transformed my working experience at Decathlon. She is extremely compassionate in the way she manages and works with her peers, showing empathy for people’s individual challenges and differences.
She is passionate about building a strong, stable and happy team, and that passion is contagious. Throughout the chaos of Decathlon, she remained calm and considered, thinking through situations logically and critically. She also has a real ability to look across the organisation and think strategically about the future.”
Holly Lincoln
Staff Product Designer,
Decathlon
“Margot excels at fostering a safe, inclusive environment where team members feel heard and respected. Her approachable and supportive demeanour encourages open dialogue and enables colleagues to confidently raise ideas or concerns.
Her strengths in inclusivity, structure and follow-through are increasingly matched by her capacity to empower others and co-drive strategic initiatives. She continues to be a vital contributor to team health, strategic facilitation and cross-functional collaboration.”
Ataur Rahman
Staff User Researcher,
Decathlon
“Margot was an invaluable manager and mentor during the three years we worked together. She has a remarkable ability to balance positive reinforcement with constructive feedback, fostering an environment of continuous growth and improvement.
Her willingness to listen and genuine interest in the team’s wellbeing created a culture of transparency and collaboration. Her guidance played a pivotal role in my professional development, helping me acquire new skills and navigate challenges.”
Virginia Iglesias
Senior Product Designer,
Browns Fashion
“Whenever I’m struggling with how to approach a conversation or situation, Margot is normally my go-to person. We can have very open and honest conversations, and she helps me reflect on how to move forward. She is a good listener and shares her perspective in a calm, thoughtful way, without ever making me feel judged.
Margot also looks beyond her own discipline. She proactively brings people into the right conversations and approaches leadership with a “let’s make this a success together” attitude. Even in difficult situations, her responses remain balanced and calm, which helps keep the people around her grounded.”
Samantha Stroombergen
Content Design Manager,
Decathlon
I’m always happy to exchange ideas about design leadership, complex product organisations and the conditions that help teams thrive.