Leadership Spotlight on Erin McFeely: Leading People, Partnerships and Progress

People first, always

Erin brings senior leadership experience across technology, consulting, policy influence and change management , combining vision, execution and people-focused leadership to deliver lasting organisational and regional impact. She is focused on encouraging an inclusive workplace, nurturing the next generation of talent and creating sustainable career opportunities through strong partnerships with academic institutions, industry and business.

At the heart of Alchemy’s success is its Talent Engine - a people-first model that turns potential into performance. The unique Alchemy approach, focuses on personal as well as professional growth, developing people as individuals, building confidence, self-awareness, and collaborative ways of working. Through structured training, industry certifications, mentoring and real-world delivery experience, Alchemy develops specialists who are confident, capable and ready to deliver in complex client environments.

This is not about short-term hiring or quick scale. It is about investing early, building strong foundations and creating sustainable careers with genuine progression. As Erin sees it, that approach is what gives Alchemy its edge.

“ We create a supportive and collaborative environment where our people can thrive because they feel valued and are encouraged to grow. Our people are committed to delivering excellence to our clients and making a difference in our region. We describe this as the Alchemy Way.” Erin says.

NTT DATA’s acquisition has amplified this approach. Since joining the global technology and consulting group, Alchemy has gained greater reach and scale while continuing to build locally. The acquisition has strengthened employment in the North West and given Alchemy’s people and delivery model an international platform.

Today, NTT DATA has established Alchemy’s Derry-Londonderry base, as a Global Centre of Excellence, using the Alchemy Way to inform delivery across key markets worldwide. Local talent from the North West now plays a critical role in mentoring and supporting international colleagues, helping to embed consistent quality and cultural standards across global teams.

Partnerships and community

“A key step in building excellence in a sustainable way is collaboration with the wider business and community ecosystem.” Erin says.

That belief shapes how Erin approaches her role. She sees partnerships not as an add-on, but as a core part of building a resilient talent pipeline and a stronger regional economy. In practice, that means working closely with clients, government, universities, schools and industry bodies to help create routes into technology and insurance careers.

‘Alchemy’s ambition is bigger than business growth alone, we aim to create meaningful impact in the region, helping people build futures without having to leave home to do so.’

As Alchemy continues to grow, Erin’s leadership is grounded in this ambition: building capability that endures, creating opportunities that uplift communities and delivering excellence that sets a global standard.