Catherine Winfield

Catherine is an experienced chartered accountant and business consultant, specialising in governance, financial oversight, and strategic advisory support for charities and SMEs. Since 2021, she has worked independently with boards and leadership teams, providing expert guidance on finance, risk management, governance frameworks, and organisational performance. Her current portfolio includes acting as an external finance director for charities, an independent trust assessor, delivering trustee training, and supporting strategic planning and communications.

She currently serves on several audit and risk committees, including those for Northumbria Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner; she is also a trustee of several charities in the north-east, reflecting a strong commitment to civic engagement and the voluntary sector.

Earlier in her career, she founded and ran a successful hospitality business for over a decade. She qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC, where she worked across a wide range of clients, including FTSE-listed companies, government bodies, and privately owned businesses. 

Catherine was co-opted onto the University’s Audit and Risk Committee in 2023 and, in 2025, appointed to the Board of Governors.