MY CAREER IN SIX SPOTLIGHT
BRIDGITTE KELLY
Head of Partnerships, APAC
Worldpay
Sharing her career journey by answering the six questions below.
Who or what has been your biggest source of inspiration throughout your career?
I’m constantly in awe of the sheer depth of knowledge some women hold — and how they carry it with such clarity and generosity. It’s inspiring. Then on the flip side, I’ll have a conversation with someone who’s just so raw and real that it completely resets me. It’s that balance — brilliance and honesty — that keeps me inspired and grounded.
Would you say your success is primarily due to luck or hard work?
A bit of both — but if I’m honest, luck has played a role. Some of my best career moves have come through my network, and I’m incredibly lucky to have built relationships with people I deeply respect (and now call friends). But getting to that point wasn’t luck — it’s taken years of showing up, doing the work, and nurturing those connections with intention.
What is the driving force behind your career aspirations?
Connection — always. I’m energised by the people I get to work with: colleagues who challenge me, clients who trust me with their boldest ideas, mentors who’ve talked me off a ledge (or poured the wine after). I thrive on real conversations, shared wins, and the kind of work that feels more human than transactional. Business is better when there’s trust — and maybe a good glass of red along the way.
If given the chance to do one thing differently in your career, what would it be and why?
I should probably take this advice on now, but: keep fighting for yourself. I still catch myself hesitating — not speaking up in those tricky conversations (the ones men probably wouldn’t bat an eyelid at). So here’s what I’d say to my younger self, and maybe my current self too: know your value, back it unapologetically, and never shrink to make others comfortable.
What was your most favourite job/role and why?
Surprisingly, it was the one where I stepped away from leading a team. I remember saying to my manager at the time, “Wait — all I have to do is keep my clients happy?” It was such a shift. That period gave me space to sharpen my craft, build deeper relationships, and grow in ways that often get lost when you’re managing others. It also taught me that it’s more than okay to take a break from people leadership — sometimes it’s the exact pause you need. When I stepped back into it later, I did so with clearer purpose, greater empathy, and a totally different lens.
Do you have a favourite motto or quote that guides your professional life?
“Don’t jump unless you’re pushed.” — My dad It’s something he said to me years ago, and it’s stayed with me. It’s a quiet reminder to trust your instincts, hold your ground, and not be rushed into decisions before you’re ready. It doesn’t mean stay still — it means move with intention. And more often than not, it’s given me the space to make better choices, on my own terms.