Catherine Thristan

Profile

Catherine Thristan, our Director of External Engagement (Partnerships and Executive Education), is a highly regarded education professional with a proven track record of delivering results to customers and managing a diverse range of stakeholders. Since joining Leeds University Business School (LUBS) in 2023, she has successfully built mutually beneficial relationships with a multitude of external partners. 

After spending the first eleven years of her career teaching English in Japan – a richly collaborative cultural experience that shaped her values and work ethic – Catherine held a range of positions at London Business School and Imperial College London across education and research, including managing Imperial’s MBA programme suite. 

A move to King’s College London followed, where Catherine was part of a central team responsible for professional education across the university. Progressing to the role of Director of Professional Education at King’s, Catherine successfully expanded the team and its client base, working with companies and organisations globally to design, develop and deliver professional and executive education programmes across all faculties.  

In her current role here at LUBS, Catherine continues to collaborate with local businesses, government, third sector, civic and international partners, enabling them to work with the university in multiple ways. 

She has developed a versatile team that nurtures meaningful and collaborative relationships with alumni and external partners, supporting students, research and wider communities to make a positive global impact. Now you and your organisation can be part of that. 

We work with SMEs, large corporate organisations and public bodies, through research and innovation projects, consultancy and knowledge exchange, and executive education – connecting organisations with our talented students, graduates and alumni of the School. By partnering with us here at LUBS, your organisation will reap the benefits of a robust and rewarding relationship built on mutual experience and expertise. 

Ask me about external engagement, growing your SME and how collaboration can benefit you and your organisation. 

Responsibilities

• Leading the implementation of the External Engagement strategy.
• Head of Business School's External Engagement team (LEET).