Katie Bannister

Currently on a career break to volunteer and travel as had reached the capacity of development in previous role, and wanted to explore other avenues.

During this career break, I have:

• Completed Fine Arts programme in Liverpool, fostering creative expression. I have always painted as a hobby and wanted to gain academic understanding to improve skills and technique.
• Relocated to a remote part of the Scottish Highlands, developing self-reliance and innovative problem-solving abilities. Volunteered on a community-owned farm, gaining practical agricultural experience. Worked part-time in a busy pub kitchen, enhancing organisational and preparation skills under pressure.
• Participated in five-week volunteering programme in Sustainable Agriculture in Nepal. Engaged with local culture, integrating into the community while overcoming language barriers. Managed tasks on family-run farm, including planting cabbage and potato fields and harvesting rice grain. Oversaw animal management of family's buffalo herd to support sustainable practices.

• Led team of intelligence analysts to deliver yearly national assessment on future use of technology within law enforcement and criminality. This assessment was used by most senior representatives in HMG and Law Enforcement to inform national policies and strategies.
• Cultivated expert level of knowledge on wide range of technical subjects, and continuously engaged with other industry experts in network to develop knowledge further.
• Worked in partnership with representatives from across Law Enforcement, HMG, and Intelligence Agencies to collect intelligence that would inform assessment. Successfully maintained and developed relationships with large network of individuals that is still informing team today.
• Briefed assessment to senior representatives from across HMG, Law Enforcement and Industry. Represented team at international technical conferences as well as during liaison with international law enforcement partners, such as FBI and Interpol.
• Managed team, workloads and wellbeing, and created culture that was inclusive, supportive and productive.
• Supported new hires through onboarding process and instituted effective feedback mechanisms to foster culture of continuous learning and development within team.
• Facilitated open dialogue with stakeholders, communicated any issues in development, planned solutions and timelines to manage expectations effectively.
• Liaised with senior management on progress of document, highlighted issues of wellbeing and strain on team, worked with senior management to implement solutions when needed.
• Kept up-to-date with all intelligence analysis training and undertook continuous professional development initiatives where possible to maintain and develop analysis skills further.

• Produced highly detailed, verified intelligence reporting in quick time to inform seniors in highest levels of government of emerging situations across Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
• Cultivated expert level of knowledge of region and maintained this through continuous research and engagement with stakeholder network.
• Briefed senior officials regularly on emerging global events impacting national security and provided situational awareness during crisis situations through real-time updates.
• Maintained high level of confidentiality whilst handling sensitive information and ensured compliance and classification procedures were followed at all times.
• Explored potential threats by conducting in-depth open-source research. Entered and retrieved intelligence from databases on open-source and classified systems and platforms.
• Consulted interested parties and specific stakeholders to gather information to inform reporting. Prepared and briefed intelligence reporting summaries and presentations to senior leaders from across HMG.
• Streamlined communication channels to facilitate swift information sharing.

• Led small team during busy events such as weddings/conferences, overseeing delegation of tasks and being responsible for highest level of customer service.
• Served meals and drinks, often via silver service, with professionalism and skill, maintaining high presentation and quality standards.
• Identified customer preferences by engaging in friendly interaction and enhanced customer satisfaction by providing top-notch service.
• Laid tables with appropriate cutlery, crockery and condiments to agreed standards.
• Contributed to food-safe environment, verifying proper food storage to reduce risk of spoilage. Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations, promoting safe environment.
• Performed bar closing duties, thoroughly cleaning, sanitising and replenishing stock.
• Cultivated clean and tidy restaurant and bar areas, minimising potential health and safety risks. Cleaned refrigerators, freezers and dry storage spaces to minimise contamination.
• Demonstrated knowledge of dietary restrictions by preparing suitable alternatives as needed.