Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership, announced today that Catherine McGuinness has been appointed to its Board as Innovate UK nominated Non-Executive Director.
Catherine brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked for decades across finance, law and public policy. She is the immediate past Chair of the City of London’s Policy & Resources Committee, where she served a five-year term from 2017 – 2022.
As Policy Chair she played a leading role in the City’s work with the financial and related professional services sector. She was deputy chair of The CityUK, and a member of the Professional & Business Services Council (where she still co-chairs the International Trade Group). As one of London’s leaders she was also an active participant in London Councils, sitting on the Leaders’ Committee and Executive Committee.
Catherine provides crucial insight having worked on initiatives that align with the Catapult’s innovation imperatives of levelling up and net zero. She has a track record of working on social mobility and education and has been chairing a government-commissioned taskforce aimed at boosting socio-economic diversity at senior levels in UK financial and professional services.
She has been closely involved in a number of green finance initiatives, was a director of the Green Finance Institute, and is a member of the UK Voluntary Carbon Markets Forum, the Distinguished Advisory Group of the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market, and the Scottish Taskforce for Green and Sustainable Financial Services.
A solicitor by training, she practised in financial services law for several years, and continues to chair the City of London LawTech Sounding Board.
Catherine McGuinness, incoming Non-Executive Director at Connected Places Catapult, said:
“I’m excited to have joined the great team at Connected Places Catapult.
“I’m a passionate believer in the power of partnerships to drive innovation and growth, and the importance of place-based approaches, and this is a critical moment.
“In the aftermath of the pandemic, with recession looming, inequalities across the country, and the climate challenge still unmet, the work of Connected Places Catapult is more important than ever.”
Dave Wilkes, Director at Innovate UK, said:
“We are delighted to have appointed Catherine as our Innovate UK nominated Board Member. She joins an excellent and committed team in leading Connected Places Catapult at an important time, as we work together to drive even greater growth and value for money through our new deal with and for Catapults.”
Prof Greg Clark CBE, Chair of the Board at Connected Places Catapult, said:
“We are very pleased to welcome Catherine to the board of Connected Places Catapult, and we thank Innovate UK for nominating a Non-Executive Director with such a superb track record, and excellent fit for our team. Catherine’s expertise will further strengthen our deep links with Green Finance, Local Government, and Place Leadership, and her considerable experience on net zero and levelling up, and the post pandemic reinvention of cities and transport systems, will play immediately to our top priorities. Welcome Catherine!”
