After nearly 10 years in HubSpot, today I’m announcing that I’ve decided to leave my role as Chief Sales Officer. As I’ve reflected on my time in HubSpot, I can say for sure that these 10 years have been the most rewarding and enjoyable of my entire career, and I’m leaving with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I’ve relished the challenges over the years - helping to transform and scale this incredible sales organisation, leading the growth of our EMEA => International => Global sales businesses, and supporting the team to navigate through some of the toughest macroeconomic, social and geopolitical times in a generation. A “rollercoaster” doesn’t begin to describe it, but I’ve genuinely loved every single second of the journey, and I’m bursting with pride when I look at what the team has achieved. But more than the challenges, the thing that has made my time in HubSpot so incredibly special has been the people, the magic moments and the personal experiences I’ve shared with so many amazingly talented and kind people. There are too many HubSpotters (present and past), HubSpot Partners, and customers that I could thank so instead I’ll only mention my Fantastic Five who were pivotal in my journey: Brian Halligan, Dharmesh Shah, and JD Sherman for collectively taking a bet on me joining HubSpot, the most consequential moment in my professional life. Jeetu Mahtani for being the most wonderful leader, mentor, and friend - I’ll forever be in your debt for all you did to support me. And Yamini Rangan who put her faith in me 3 years ago to step into the CSO role and lead Global Sales - thank you for your unwavering trust, advice and guidance. And there is one more person I’d like to thank to keep the super hero theme going, she’s my Wonder Woman - it’s my wife Suzie McAuliffe. None of the above would have been possible without her - thank you Suz for always having my back and for always being there for me. I’ll forever be a massive HubSpot fan, cheering from the sideline, knowing that the next chapters will be written by an awesome team of incredibly talented HubSpotters. I’d also like to say a huge congrats to David Cohen on his appointment, and I wish him every success in the role for many years to come. This moment is an emotional one for me, maybe best summed up by Dr Seuss….“don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”. 🧡
Rollercoaster is right, and I’m glad to have worked with you through all of it. Genuinely an inspiring leader, you made HubSpot a place I really enjoyed going to every day. We also had some epic laughs along the way, especially at the annual charity auctions where I’m pretty sure we both sacrificed a lot for the cause, although you dying ur hair orange took the biscuit. Thanks for everything and enjoy your time with your family, it’s very much deserved 🫡
Smile because it happened 😀
Christian - we will miss you. You truly embodied HEART everyday. One of the most at-ease and kindest leaders i've ever worked with. I always knew that going into a meeting with you that you would listen, challenge and question, but always with humility, empathy and with the goal of making me and HubSpot better. You have been truly one of my favorite leaders i've gotten to work with across my career. Thank you!
If a company's stock price is a reflection of a successful run I'd say you have that in spades, CK. Congrats to you on moving into this next chapter and wishing you a nice respite from 10pm forecast calls in the sauna room :-). All the best to you and kudos on the phenomenal impact you had at HubSpot.
You also leave an incredible legacy Christian. It's been an absolute privilege to work under your leadership.
Thank you Christian Kinnear for your leadership in the Hubspot Ecosystem. I remember our first meeting in our office when you just joined 10 years ago. Thanks for everything. I agree with you last sentence, smile because it happened. Best of luck for future plans.
End of an era, Christian. I couldn't be happier for you. You made me and everyone who had the fortune to be around you better, in ways we will all slowly discover over decades to come. I have not worked with a more principled, a more values-driven and a more empathetic leader. Your patiently taking a sales cold call when we were eating lunch at the Dublin office because you were that person once is a masterclass in empathy and living one's values. This memory is etched in my brain. I'll forever fondly remember all our conversations in 1:1s and at Boston and Dublin bars. I'm excited for the next one when it happens, it will :)
Fantastic Leader, embodies Hubspot’s HEART values everyday….even better person 🧡 thanks for giving me the opportunity to join the Sprocket CK, very grateful to have you in my corner 🙌🏻👏🏻
GTM Leadership Passionate about helping customers turn opportunities into outcomes Founder HubSpot International
6dChristian Kinnear, words can't fully capture the incredible impact you've had on HubSpot and so many HubSpotters over the years. I remember landing in Dublin in January 2013, knowing that our success would depend on finding an exceptional leader. After an 18-month search, I finally found you! That first meeting at Herb Street Café in Grand Canal Dock is still vivid in my memory. Besides the tasty burgers, I knew right then that we had found the right person to lead our business. I always tell everyone that I had the 'luck of the Irish' with me! Over 10 years, I had the privilege of watching you transform our European business and then International. Together and with our team, we achieved what seemed impossible and very few US HQ'ed SaaS businesses accomplish - growing our international business to nearly match our US operations! Your leadership was instrumental in making this happen. And you continued this trend with running the global sales org. Your legacy will live on at HubSpot for years to come! I hope you'll now take some well-deserved time to relax and enjoy life with your special family, Suzie McAuliffe and Mr. D. Thank you for your partnership and friendship over all these years!