During her time in the private sector, Kathryn worked for small businesses supporting growth and development through the delivery of business planning, financial management, and accounts production. Whilst working within the public sector, initially for the Actnow project, Kathryn supported businesses and start-ups in the take-up of broadband and assisting them to embrace technology to its full potential.

In more recent years, Kathryn has worked for the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), helping to deliver a range of EU funded capital and revenue projects and assisting businesses to access finance and support to help their business to grow and diversify. Kathryn has two children, she enjoys running in her spare time and confesses to being a Pinterest junkie who loves to turns her hand to DIY (although sometimes disastrously!)

Kathryn, tell us more about your role:

I’m a Business Development Manager working on the Breakthrough programme and I help new and more established businesses to identify areas of support and how we can help them to get where they want to be.  I also work within the Operations team helping to run the delivery of the programme. 

What experience do you have working with businesses?

I have a background in operations and finance and have worked in many business support roles primarily in the public sector helping to deliver European funded progammes alongside a variety of Cornish businesses.  I have also run my own online retail business. 

What do you most enjoy about working with businesses?

You never know what you’re going to get!!  I love the challenge of helping clients and working with them to identify solutions to move their business forward.

How do you stay inspired?

The whole team help me to stay inspired.  Everyone is genuinely committed to helping businesses succeed and we’re there to support each other.

What is your go-to karaoke tune?

9-5

If you were famous, what would you be famous for?

Winning the world karaoke championships singing 9-5!!

What was your least favourite food as a child?

Those little violet sweets – still can’t stand them (even as a gin flavour)