St John’s Foundation, which is Bath’s oldest charity, has announced the appointment of Catharine Brown as its new CEO.
Catharine Brown | Photo © St John’s Foundation
Ms Brown has been serving as Interim CEO since July 2024, and following a competitive selection process, the Board of Trustees unanimously decided to appoint her to lead the charity into its next chapter.
With a strong background in leadership, strategy, and impact-driven change, Catharine brings a fresh perspective and a deep commitment to ensuring St John’s continues to evolve and thrive.
Catharine said: “I am delighted to take on the role of CEO at such a pivotal moment for St John’s.
“This charity has a remarkable history of supporting the community in Bath and the local area, and I look forward to building on that legacy with fresh ideas, renewed energy and a clear vision for the future.
“Change brings opportunity, and I am excited to work with our team and partners to ensure St John’s continues to grow, evolve and make a meaningful difference to the people we serve.”
Catharine’s career began in marketing leadership roles at Selfridges and Marks & Spencer, then becoming Global Marketing Director in The Economist group.
After relocating to Bath, she transitioned into the charity sector, holding senior roles in marketing, fundraising and leadership at national charities. Catharine also founded a consultancy business, helping boards and leadership teams drive meaningful change.
Most recently, she was Chief Executive of Designability, a national charity dedicated to creating life-changing products for disabled people.
Sandy Forbes, Chair of St John’s, said: “On behalf of the trustees, I am delighted to welcome Catharine as our CEO.
“Having recently taken on the role of Chair myself, I know how important it is to honour the incredible 850-year legacy of this charity while ensuring we continue to evolve for the future.
“Starting our roles at a similar time gives us a fantastic opportunity to work closely together, bringing new energy and a shared commitment to making a lasting impact in our community.
“I look forward to collaborating with Catharine and the entire team to build on St John’s proud history and ensure we keep making a real difference in our community.”
St John’s is a local charity dedicated to fostering an age-friendly community through housing and outreach services, helping older adults live independently for longer.
Beyond the charity’s work with older adults, St John’s supports those who have reached a point of crisis in their lives, and is also working to create communities where children can grow up happy, healthy, and well-educated.
