Catherine Bailhache

Catherine Bailhache joined Challenge Partners as Head of Network Development in September 2019 bringing with her a group of headteacher networks formerly known as the Jubilee Networks. Catherine is passionate about education and improving life chances for all children. She holds an MPhil in International Development and spent a year teaching in rural China. 

Her career has been spent partnering with senior leaders to build alliances for change. She helped set up and grow Bristol’s Green Capital partnership bringing together business, environmental organisations and public agencies resulting in Bristol being the first UK city to win the prestigious European Green Capital award. 

She became a governor and Chair of Governors serving for 4 years whilst working as Education Lead and subsequently Education Director for leadership and change management consultancy, Integral Change Ltd. Working with National Leaders of Education, she developed and facilitated a cluster of regional headteacher networks over 8 years. She is a qualified executive coach and facilitator. She has straddled the public and private sector. She began as a political researcher, has worked in local government for the Chief Executive Office and for an institutional investor consultancy specialising in corporate governance. She now leads our team responsible for network relationships, development and growth.