What does it take to be a NED in the highly regulated financial services sector? Is it
possible to get a board role without a background in finance?
We are delighted to have Caroline Cartellieri and Katherine Woodrow join us for this Board Check-In. Caroline will share her insights on serving on FCA-regulated boards in comparison to her other board roles and will discuss the challenges and opportunities of being a NED on a financial services board without prior experience in the sector. Katherine will share her insights on her extensive career within financial services and representation in the boardroom as an executive.
The session will be chaired by Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Co-Founder of WB Directors.
Speakers
Caroline Cartellieri
Caroline Cartellieri is an accomplished portfolio Non-Executive Director (NED) with extensive executive board experience across multiple sectors, including financial services. Currently, she serves on the board of Saffron Building Society, among other notable organisations.
With over 25 years of award-winning experience as a C-Suite Executive, Caroline has a distinguished track record in digital transformation, marketing, strategy, and technology. Her expertise spans industries such as retail, travel, and digital health.
Before transitioning to a portfolio career, Caroline held executive leadership roles, most notably as Chief Operating and Commercial Officer (COO/CCO). Her career began in management consulting, working with top firms like Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and McKinsey & Company.
She went on to hold key roles at Expedia UK, glh Hotels, Ennismore, and Sun European Partners, demonstrating a broad range of operational and commercial expertise.
In her NED roles, Caroline has successfully applied her operational leadership skills, serving as a
committee member and board advisor. Her Non-Executive experience includes roles with the UK Department of Health and EcoHydra. Currently, she holds NED positions at Europ Assistance, Saffron Building Society, and the Museum of London, among others.
Katherine Woodrow
Katherine Woodrow has extensive experience in Financial Services, with over 25 years at Global Investment Banks in various roles. She has collaborated with multiple Boards throughout her career, most notably serving on the Board for Wells Fargo’s European trading business. Katherine has led teams that support U.K Boards in preparing key meeting papers and strategy updates. Additionally, she has chaired sub-board risk committees at BNY Mellon and directed numerous steering committees for large-scale projects and implementations.
Her executive roles have included Chief Operating Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Product Business Management, and Head of Transformation. In these positions, she has been responsible for first-line risk, governance, strategy, regulatory oversight, and transformation. Katherine’s career began at H.M. Treasury before transitioning to the banking sector as a graduate trainee for Deutsche Bank.
This virtual event is free to Full and Directors’ Circle members. It will also include an opportunity for Q&A and sharing experience with other members of our network, under Chatham House rule.