Leadership, Mentorship, DEI & Climbing the Career Ladder

Micky Swindale, Global Head of Sales Enablement at KPMG, joined Mariya for a walking interview to discuss her career before KPMG, her remarkable 29-year journey with one of the world's leading professional services firms, and her passion for developing people, championing women and helping shape the gaming industry's most influential conversations through KPMG's sector summits.

Leadership and diversity are often highlighted as priorities in today's boardrooms, yet turning good intentions into meaningful action remains a challenge. Swindale shared how she has used her long career at KPMG to mentor others, build inclusive leadership programmes and create opportunities for the next generation, while acknowledging that progress is rarely straightforward.

Why variety matters in a career

Swindale's career has been anything but linear. She spoke about moving from Arthur Andersen to a recruitment consultancy before returning to audit and eventually transitioning into advisory work focused on sales enablement, leadership and organisational change. That breadth of experience, she believes, became one of her greatest strengths, allowing her to develop commercial awareness, confidence and stronger client relationships.

One of the most valuable leadership lessons she learned, she said, was simply "to shut up and listen."

She also explained how client-facing work naturally led to building her own profile within the industry. Organising KPMG's gaming summits in the Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Malta created opportunities to connect regulators, operators and advisers, while also giving her a platform to represent the firm at international events such as G2E in Las Vegas through KPMG's long-standing involvement with the Global Gaming Awards.

Why every promotion feels daunting

Swindale was refreshingly honest about the emotional side of career progression.

"So honestly, it was terrifying. And every new job has been terrifying. And I don't think that ever changes."

Rather than seeing fear as something to overcome once, she argued it is a natural part of continuous growth.

That perspective shaped her leadership philosophy. Technical expertise alone, she said, does not make someone a good leader. Building successful teams requires trusting people with different strengths, giving them room to contribute and recognising that management is a skill in its own right.

Public speaking was another recurring theme. Swindale encouraged professionals to push themselves onto panels and conference stages, believing visibility creates opportunities, especially within large organisations. That same thinking influenced the design of KPMG's smaller gaming events, such as the Gibraltar eSummit, which deliberately brings together fewer than 300 attendees and maintains a strong operator focus to encourage more meaningful industry discussions.

Championing women in gaming and beyond

Swindale also reflected on the slow progress towards gender balance at senior levels, not just in gaming but in most industries.

"And sadly, I am still the only female partner they've had on the Isle of Man, so I feel a bit sad about that."

She contrasted KPMG's internal culture with the wider picture, noting that "most of the rooms I walk into (outside KPMG) are full of middle-aged white men."

Those experiences have driven her commitment to preparing more women for client-facing and leadership roles. Today she plays an active role in KPMG's Growth Generation Women global initiative, helping connect, develop and support female leaders across the firm.

She also credited senior leaders at KPMG, including outgoing Global Chairman and CEO Bill Thomas and his successor Gary Wingrove, who sponsored her own career by encouraging her to take on bigger opportunities and recognising her work publicly. Reflecting on one piece of advice that has stayed with her throughout her career, she recalled the simple message: "You don't have to bleed", a reminder that success should not come at the expense of personal wellbeing.

The conversation ended on a personal note, with Swindale highlighting the importance of having support outside work and describing her husband as one of the biggest contributors to her success. It was a fitting conclusion to a discussion centred on growth, leadership and the people who help us achieve both.

Episode highlights

• How Micky Swindale built a 29-year career at KPMG
• Why public speaking can transform your professional profile
• Leadership lessons and learning to trust your team
• Why every promotion feels terrifying, and why that's a good thing
• How the Isle of Man and Gibraltar helped shape KPMG's gaming practice
• Why diversity at senior levels still has a long way to go
• KPMG's Growth Generation Women leadership initiative
• The importance of support from those closest to you outside of work

Mariya Meets, sponsored by Soft2Bet.