The Usability Company was judged as a national semi finalist in the T-Mobile UK and the Sunday Express Women Mean Business awards 2002. The new award is designed to recognise 'the growing importance of independent businesswomen. ' The award, which is sponsored by T-Mobile and presented by the Sunday Express, will celebrate the achievements of women running their own Business.

Catriona CEO of The Usability Company started the business in 1999, having helped Barclays create one of the best Internet Banks in Europe. She had a passion for improved user experience and recognised that there was a lack of commercial focus from the existing providers of services. The market was extremely fragmented with most 'usability specialists' being academics or garage businesses.

From February 2001 through to May 2001 Catriona built a management team and developed a business plan, brand and messaging. From the outset The Usability Company focussed its' marketing and branding on major corporate clients and in May 2001 won its' first contract with MTV. The company have since gone on to win contracts with 4 major financial services organisations including Woolwich and charcolonline, 5 major high street retailers such as Debenhams and Marks and Spencer; The UK's leading digital TV provider Sky and a host of other leading UK organisations such as William Hill, Camelot and Sainsburys.

Catriona was excited to be nominated for the award and told us:
'My ultimate business goal is to make all digital technology easy to use. To break down the barriers that exists for all users including the disabled, for an ultimate equality of researching and purchasing power across all digital platforms.'

Return to newsletter