Introducing our new Senior Director, Michael Thornton
We’re delighted to welcome Michael Thornton as the newest member of the Definia team. Joining as Senior Director, Michael brings over a decade of experience in public sector transformation, with a strong track record of helping organisations navigate complex change programmes.
To learn more about his background, his perspective on transformation, and what he’s most looking forward to at Definia, Marketing Manager Alice Hankin sat down with him for a quick Q&A.
Welcome to Definia! Can you tell us more about yourself and your professional background?
I’ve spent much of my career leading transformation initiatives across the public sector, working with organisations to deliver lasting improvements in how services are designed and delivered. Since 2014 I’ve worked at Investigo, which is part of The IN Group alongside Definia, where I’ve been fortunate to partner with a wide range of teams and stakeholders to shape strategies, modernise operations and embed measurable change.
What will you be doing in your new role at Definia, and how will you be helping clients?
Definia has achieved incredible growth over the past three years, taking an idea from inception to market and proving its real value to customers. My role is about building on that momentum — strengthening Definia’s position within The IN Group, enabling it to reach a wider audience and ensuring we make the most of every opportunity.
I’ll also be focused on deepening our internal capabilities. We’re bringing in exceptional talent, including hires from the Big Four consultancies, to further expand what we can offer. A big part of my role will be to provide clear direction, ensuring everyone in the team understands where we’re heading and how we can continue to grow together.
In your view, what are the biggest challenges facing businesses today when it comes to change and transformation?
One of the biggest challenges is simply the pace of change; organisations often find that by the time one initiative is delivered, the environment has already shifted.
Another is the cost of building and maintaining large in-house teams. Long-term employment commitments can be difficult to sustain, whereas flexible models such as bringing in contract teams or accessing Capability as a Service (CaaS) can offer more agility and less long-term risk.
Finally, there’s market uncertainty, which has made many businesses cautious. Encouragingly though, I think we’re starting to see signs of improvement in 2025.
What are you most looking forward to in this new role at Definia?
The way organisations are supported through transformation has changed significantly in recent years and I’m excited to be at the forefront of that evolution. Definia is in a unique position to combine proven expertise with new ways of delivering capability and I’m really looking forward to helping shape its next chapter.
Want to find out how Michael and the Definia team can support your transformation journey? Get in touch today to see how we can help!
