Catherine Bird
Ashford,Kent
Summary
Highly accomplished Senior Executive Assistant with experience supporting C-suite leaders across insurance, finance and professional services. Managing complex diaries, board communications and confidential projects with precision and discretion. Proven success in supporting strategic acquisitions, consulting with venture capitalists and coordinating due diligence processes. Equally adept in private family office environments overseeing international property portfolios, personal planning and multi-jurisdictional financial administration. Valued for discretion, adaptability and operational excellence in high-pressure settings.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work history
Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer and Chief Product and Technology Officer
Zellis
London
09.2025
- Managed CEO’s and CPTO’s complex diaries and inboxes ensuring priorities are aligned and time is used effectively
- Coordinated internal and external meetings including leadership team sessions, board meetings and customer engagements
- Prepared high-quality briefing materials, agendas and follow-up actions to support strategic decision-making
- Acted as liaison between the executives and internal teams, customers and partners ensuring clear and timely communication
- Supported the executives with confidential and sensitive matters maintaining the highest level of discretion and professionalism
- Organised travel arrangements and itineraries ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Lead / supported special projects and initiatives on behalf of the executives ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business goals
- Maintained accurate records and documentation including meeting notes and action trackers
- Proactively identified opportunities to improve processes and enhance executive support
- Represented the executives’ office with professionalism, integrity and a solution-focussed mindset
- Hybrid, London 09/25 - to date (12-month contract role)
Executive Assistant to Group Chief Financial Officer
Markerstudy Insurance Services Ltd
London
07.2015 - 07.2025
- Delivered comprehensive executive assistance support encompassing complex calendar management
- Covered CEO responsibilities during EA absences ensuring continuity in executive operations
- Managed inboxes prioritised communications and drafted responses on behalf of executives
- Oversaw budget tracking, project expenses and monthly financial reporting
- Planned and executed corporate events, offsite meetings and leadership conferences
- Took and distributed accurate board and committee minutes monitoring follow-ups and actions
- Organised international travel, accommodation and personal arrangements for senior leadership
- Reviewed legal documents such as NDAs and contractual agreements
- Coordinated internal projects, tracked deliverables and supported cross-functional execution
- Hybrid, London (07/15 - 07/25)
Executive Assistant to Group Chief Underwriting Officer / HNWI / Founder (business and family office)
London
04.2024 - 10.2024
- Provided strategic support to the Group CUO including diary management, board-level communications and confidential project coordination
- Played a key role in new business acquisitions liaising with venture capitalists and external advisors
- Managed due diligence and controlled access to highly confidential materials for authorised parties
- Supported the CUO in preparing executive briefings, investor decks and transaction timelines
- Coordinated travel, meetings and communications across multiple jurisdictions during acquisition phases
- Delivered seamless support across underwriting, compliance and operational teams during integration periods
- Acted as key liaison between the CUO and internal departments including underwriting, compliance, risk and claims ensuring timely follow-up and alignment on strategic priorities
- Prepared briefing documents, board papers and executive summaries for underwriting strategy meetings and regulatory reviews
- Supported the CUO in managing relationships with reinsurers, brokers and regulatory bodies including scheduling and documentation
- Assisted in the preparation of annual business plans, underwriting forecasts and strategic planning sessions
- Coordinated submission of regulatory filings, FCA correspondence and governance documentation in collaboration with the compliance and legal teams
- Maintained accurate records of underwriting committee meetings ensuring timely distribution of minutes and action tracking
- Supported audit preparation and internal reviews by collating documentation and liaising with relevant stakeholders
- Drafted high-level communications on behalf of the CUO including internal announcements, investor updates and board correspondence
- Managed sensitive communications with external stakeholders including brokers, reinsurers and acquisition targets
- Facilitated cross-functional meetings and workshops ensuring agendas, materials and follow-ups were executed to a high standard
- Proactively managed the CUO’s complex diary balancing strategic priorities, stakeholder demands and travel logistics
- Extensive family office experience such as (1) Managed personal rental properties in the UK and Spain including tenancy coordination, maintenance oversight and financial administration (2) Coordinated private travel logistics including air charters, helicopter transfers and ground transportation across multiple international destinations (3) Oversaw mobile phone account administration for the CUO and family ensuring continuity of service and cost efficiency (4) Collated and submitted financial documentation to UK and Spanish accounts for annual tax returns maintaining accuracy and compliance (5) Arranged home insurance for UK properties and Spanish villa along with car insurance, tax and servicing for all family vehicles including those based in Spain (6) Liaised with UK and Spanish utility providers to resolve billing queries and ensure timely payments (7) Ran the UK household operations including recruitment and management of domestic staff such as housekeepers, driver and gardeners (7) Organised tradespeople for household maintenance and emergency repairs including plumbers, electricians and pest control services (8) Procured and replaced household appliances as needed ensuring minimal disruption to daily routines (9) Coordinated school and extra-curricular transfers for children including travel to and from school and sports fixtures such as hockey and netball matched (9) Delivered high-touch confidential support across all personal and family matters balancing competing priorities with precision and discretion
- Hybrid, London (04/18 - 10/24)
Senior PA to Head of Technical Underwriting
London, Kent
07.2015 - 03.2018
- Managed high priority and confidential information
- Demonstrated composure and flexibility in stressful situations and regardless of competing priorities
- Scheduled meetings and appointments for senior-level staff members
- Reminder managers of important deadlines and engagements
- Prioritised tasks, keeping diligent track of project timelines and deadlines
- Prepared expense reports and tracked budgets
Senior PA to CEO and Head of Motor
Chaucer Insurance
Kent
08.2009 - 06.2015
- Led a team of two assistant PAs
- Provided direct support to the CEO
- Managed high-level correspondence, reports, board packs and internal communications
- Organised travel logistics for over 450 staff ensuring cost-effectiveness
- Event planning for large-scale internal events including annual parties and offsite events
- Used shorthand to produce detailed and accurate minutes ensuring regulatory and governance compliance
- Expenses management
- (acquired by Markerstudy Insurance Services in July 2015)
Office Manager
Ellis Recruitment
Kent
04.2007 - 07.2009
- Managed company financials including quarterly VAT Returns, payroll, invoicing and payment systems
- Oversaw administrative operations and ensured timely client communication and reporting
PA and Partnership Tax
Cantor Fitzgerald Group
London
06.1996 - 12.2006
- Provided EA support to senior executives - CIO, CFO and CAO) managing scheduled and critical communications
- Administered partnership tax filings, trust funds and stock options in accordance with financial regulations
- Liaised with the US Embassy and coordinated quarterly partnership meetings
- Conducted financial analysis regarding partner loans and repayments
PA to COO, CIO and CAO
Harlow Butler Ueda
London
10.1988 - 05.1996
- Delivered executive support and coordinated complex international travel and logistics
- Assisted with business administration and internal communications at a senior level
Education
Cardinal Wiseman Senior School
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Business and Secretarial College
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Skills
- Executive Support and coordination
- Minute-taking
- Expense management
- Event planning and corporate hospitality
- Stakeholder trust building
- Global diary and inbox management
- International travel planning
- Tax documentation and banking liaison
- Oversight of domestic staff
- Advanced shorthand and typing skills
- Board meeting logistics
- Financial administration
- Family office support
- Discretion and confidentiality
- Technical proficiency in MS Office 365
Key Achievements / Skills
- Strategic executive support: Delivered seamless support to CEOs, CFOs and CUOs across insurance and finance sectors ensuring operational continuity and strategic alignment
- Acquisition and due diligence coordination: Played a pivotal role in M&A activity consulting with venture capitalists, managing confidential information and supporting investors briefings and transaction timelines
- Board and governance excellence: Produced accurate board and committee minutes using shorthand, monitored follows-ups and supported FCA filings and governance documentation in collaboration with the legal and compliance teams
- International travel and event management: Organised complex travel planning across jurisdictions including private air charters and leadership conferences ensuring cost efficiency and executive comfort
- Private family office oversight: Managed UK and Spanish property portfolios, household operations, financial administration and personal planning for HNWI / Founder with discretion and precision
- Cross-functional leadership: Acted a liaison between senior C-Suite executives and internal departments (underwriting, risk, compliance and claims) facilitating strategic meetings and ensuring timely execution of deliverables
- Operational resilience: Provided CEO cover during EA absences, maintained executive momentum across competing priorities and demonstrated adaptability in high-pressure environments
Timeline
Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer and Chief Product and Technology Officer
Zellis
09.2025
Executive Assistant to Group Chief Underwriting Officer / HNWI / Founder (business and family office)
04.2024 - 10.2024
Executive Assistant to Group Chief Financial Officer
Markerstudy Insurance Services Ltd
07.2015 - 07.2025
Senior PA to Head of Technical Underwriting
07.2015 - 03.2018
Senior PA to CEO and Head of Motor
Chaucer Insurance
08.2009 - 06.2015
Office Manager
Ellis Recruitment
04.2007 - 07.2009
PA and Partnership Tax
Cantor Fitzgerald Group
06.1996 - 12.2006
PA to COO, CIO and CAO
Harlow Butler Ueda
10.1988 - 05.1996
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Business and Secretarial College
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Cardinal Wiseman Senior School