Kate, who takes up her new role at the Ri today (Monday 6 January), brings a wealth of experience from cultural and commercial organisations, including recent roles at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Lightbox Gallery & Museum.
Her professional background spans both the charitable and commercial sectors, with positions at Waitrose, DMGT, BBC Worldwide and Marie Curie. Additionally, Kate serves as a Trustee of Age UK, Kensington & Chelsea.
In her new role at the science engagement charity, Kate will lead an integrated directorate encompassing Digital, Marketing and Communications, Membership, and Fundraising. Her appointment is part of the Ri’s strategic plan to expand its income, profile, and reach.
Commenting on her new role at the Ri, Kate said: “As a long-standing admirer of the Royal Institution, first introduced to the organisation through its world-famous Christmas Lectures, I am thrilled to join at such an exciting time. What particularly excites me is the Ri's unwavering commitment to making science accessible to everyone.
“In today's world, public engagement with science is more crucial than ever. And with science permeating all areas of our lives and offering potential solutions to the world's greatest challenges, the Ri's mission to bring the public and scientists together, sharing a passion for science, has never been more vital.”
Katherine Mathieson, Director of the Royal Institution, said: “Kate joins us at an exciting time for the Ri as we seek to reach new and more diverse audiences and deepen people’s engagement with science.
“I am delighted that we will be able to call on Kate’s extensive strategic experience, as she leads teams at the Ri that are so central to our mission to empower people to explore and get involved in science.”