Recently awarded with Music Week’s Women in Music Businesswoman of the Year award in 2024, Karen founded Key Production in 1990 with a redundancy payment from Rough Trade Distribution. Starting as a one-woman operation, she built the company into Europe’s leading manufacturer of physical music and merchandise. Under her leadership, Key Production has worked with major record labels and independent artists, specialising in vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, cassettes and bespoke packaging. Today, Key Production Group comprises six companies with 4 offices in the UK and one in Europe, and a dedicated workforce of 60 plus staff.

Throughout her career, Karen has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability, advocating for more eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Thanks to Karen’s determination the whole of Key Production Group has been awarded B Corp status, a huge achievement as this puts Key at the forefront of a movement focused on social and environmental responsibility.

Karen has expanded Key Production through strategic acquisitions, including Breed Media, Modo Creative Design and Think Tank Media, strengthening the company's position in the music manufacturing and bespoke packaging sectors.

Beyond her business achievements, Karen is often asked to speak on panels about leadership and sustainability and holds positions on several advisory boards. She mentors, talks and volunteers at schools, universities and charities. She set up a not for profit - Moving the Needle (soon to be rebranded as rEVOLUTIONs)– to help and support women and marginalised genders to achieve life-long careers in the Music Industry.

Aside from this, In 2007, whilst on holiday in Nicaragua, Karen saw a sign proclaiming “Island for Sale.” Three years later sees her having built and opened www.jicaroisland.com – a luxury sustainable hotel created with Rainforest Alliance certificated wood.