PRESS RELEASE : Three Board Members appointed to the National Citizen Service Trust [November 2023]

Catrin Anderson

Appointed for a three year term commencing 1 December 2023.

Catrin is an experienced people leader in dynamic, innovation-led organisations, having worked at Zoopla Property Group, Dyson and Amazon.

Catrin joined Houseful (previously Zoopla Property Group) as Chief People Officer in 2019 where she has been the driving force behind significant organisational and cultural transformation. Previously at Dyson, Catrin led a global team during a period of high growth and significant change, including the establishing of the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology. Beforehand Catrin spent 5 years at Amazon, working with senior leaders across the full portfolio of businesses in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Catrin is an active advocate for the development of young talent and the creation of opportunities where young people can learn, safely make mistakes, and explore their potential. Having recently assumed responsibility for Environmental, Social and Governance at Houseful, she has supported the promotion of the company’s partnership with both Future Frontiers and the Mayor’s Fund for London. She has coached several young people, offering guidance to enable them to realise their personal, academic and sporting potential.

Born and raised in West Wales, Catrin has a MA in French and German from Cambridge University and speaks four languages. She is a proud mother of two, a hockey player, marathon runner, avid rugby and football fan, and part-time surfer.

Jonathan Freeman MBE

Appointed for a three year term commencing 1 December 2023.

Jonathan is an award-winning CEO committed to social impact with a track record of leadership across the charitable sector, private sector and Senior Civil Service. Jonathan is founder CEO of the CareTech Foundation, the leading corporate foundation in the social care sector that supports and champions the social care sector, care workers and those living in care through its four grant streams. Jonathan is also Group Sustainability Director of specialist care and education provider CareTech Ltd, the first holder of this role for the company and, indeed, the UK social care sector.

Jonathan is also Managing Director of Earlsbrook Consulting, providing strategic consultancy support to corporates, charities and philanthropists. Jonathan was previously Managing Director of Mosaic, the then HRH The Prince of Wales’s youth mentoring charitable initiative, and before that a member of the Senior Civil Service.

Jonathan’s voluntary roles include:

• Chair of Trustees, Carers Worldwide;
• Governor (trustee), The Legal Education Foundation;
• Founder Chair, Social Care Sustainability Alliance;
• Vice-Chair of the cross-sector charitable Championing Social Care initiative; and,
• Remuneration Committee, St. Anne’s College, Oxford University

Jonathan was recognised with an MBE for charitable services in Her Majesty The Queen’s New Year’s Honours List 2021.

Duncan McCourt

Appointed for a three year term commencing 1 December 2023.

Duncan is a Partner at Brunswick Group Advisory Ltd, helping international businesses deal with complex political and regulatory issues.

Duncan joined Brunswick from the UK Treasury, where he was Chief of Staff and Special Advisor to former Chancellor Rt Hon Phillip Hammond MP, providing advice on, among other issues, Brexit, financial services and healthcare. He also served as a Special Advisor to Phillip Hammond in his then capacity as the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. He was campaign director and office manager for Andrea Leadsom MP from 2010 to 2015 and, before that, was chief executive at MCA Ltd for five years, a management consulting firm, providing managerial and strategic advice to large companies. He also worked in European equity strategy for Credit Suisse and JP Morgan Chase in London, and consulted at the World Bank and KPMG in Washington, D.C.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Board Members of the National Citizen Service Trust are not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Catrin Anderson and Jonathan Freeman have not declared any significant political activity. Duncan McCourt declared he has canvassed on behalf of, and was a Special Advisor for, the Conservative party.