Head of Culture, Place and City Centre for Hull City Council
Since joining Hull City Council in January 2023, Kath has worked hard to strategically develop Hull’s culture and place thinking, ensuring the city is recognised nationally and internationally as a creative hub and driver for the north. She said: ‘Hull doesn’t receive the credit, reputation, or national investment it deserves, and together I know we can change this.’
A self-described storyteller, door opener and bridge builder, originally from the south bank, Kath’s adopted home city is Hull, with family moving to the city nearly 30 years ago.
In her first year, Kath spent time listening to those in the culture sector to develop a deep understanding of how the cultural ecology works together, as well as commissioning new research. All this provided the foundations to develop a new five-year culture and heritage strategy, as well as shape a bid for Hull to become a UNESCO Creative City.
Kath has worked in Local Government for almost 20 years across many services, including cultural development, project management and visitor economy. Prior to this, Kath worked as a freelance artist, putting on live art events, music gigs and exhibitions across the UK.
Kath continued: ‘I wanted to bring everything I have learnt from my past experience to fast track opportunities and give back to the city which offered so much to me in my early creative journey.’
