How Jonathan Wightwick Brings 'Founder Energy' to a Global Team

From London's 1990s money markets to Australian startups, Jonny Wightwick has had a diverse career. Now in the Partnerships team as an Alliance Development Manager, Jonny reflects on his journey and why Equifax is ideal for an entrepreneurial spirit.

Jonathan, you’ve had quite the journey - from London’s finance sector to Sydney. How did you first find your way to Equifax?

It was actually a classic "who you know" story. I moved to Sydney in 2008 for my wife's career. My best mate ran a sales team in London for HSBC. John Sheppard worked for him and when John relocated to Sydney it was suggested that I should reach out to him. When I finally called him, it turned out he was living on the very next street in Bondi! We quickly became great friends.

A few years later John ended up taking a sales role at Equifax, and convinced me that I’d also be a great fit. He spoke very highly of the culture and the sales leaders. He described it as a place where you’re part of a supportive team, not a cutthroat sales environment. He was right. I joined in 2019 to manage a commercial portfolio that included three of the Big Four accountancy firms and I’ve been here ever since.

Having been an investor and run your own startup while being a stay-at-home dad, how do you bring that entrepreneurial energy to a global organization like Equifax?

I know what it takes to manage all facets of a growing business. I also treat my Equifax portfolio like it’s my own business. I feel like I have autonomy over my client relationships. 

Equifax has what I call "the pantry" - it’s full of unique data and products that solve a million different problems. An entrepreneurial mindset allows you to look at a customer’s challenges and reverse-engineer a solution. I’m not simply selling A to B; I like to think strategically. The leadership here empowers that. They don't say, "You can't do that"; they say, "Let’s give it a go."

You recently transitioned from Sales to a more strategic Partnerships role. What sparked that change?

I’d been in the Sales team for six and a half years and was looking for what was next. I had started working on deals that crossed over into the partnership space and realized that would be an exciting place to add value and to grow my career next. The business was incredibly supportive of this move. While my manager didn’t want me to leave the team, when he saw I was ready for a new challenge, he backed me 100%.

You mentor several younger professionals. What is your go-to advice for those starting their careers at Equifax?

I tell them a few things:

1. Get out of your comfort zone: Don’t be blinkered. You might start in one role, but Equifax has so many different avenues - product, tech, marketing. Be open-minded.
2. Find a Mentor: Don't just get one; rotate them. If you’re in Sales, get a mentor from another business unit. Learn how other parts of the Equifax business work and how different colleagues operate to be successful.
3. Manage your Personal Brand: How you carry yourself, how you interact with both colleagues and customers, and even your LinkedIn profile matter. It’s all part of elevating yourself to a "trusted advisor" rather than just another salesperson.

We know you’re the self-appointed Chairman of the Equifax Golf Society, but what’s a hidden achievement?

I ran the London Marathon in 2007. I was never a long-distance runner - I hated cross-country at school. But I trained through two London winters, did a full "Superman" face-plant on the pavement one evening, and also lost both my big toenails in the process!

Running through the streets of London with "Jonny" written across my shirt and hearing the crowd and my family and friends cheering me on was an incredible experience. It was a massive lesson in resilience: when it gets tough, you just run to the next lamp post. You break the race into bite-sized pieces and just keep moving forward.

Learn more about available opportunities at Equifax.