Catherine Lenson

Chief Operating Officer

2023 - Current

LocalGlobe is EMEA’s number one venture fund (source: Dealroom Investor Prominence Ranking 2023), founded in 2015. Together with our Latitude, Solar, and Basecamp funds, and Phoenix Court Works, our foundation, LocalGlobe’s home is at Phoenix Court in Somers Town, London. Phoenix Court’s mission is to be a good long-term neighbour and help people realise their full potential. To achieve this, 10% of profits of the management company and 2% of carry in all funds are allocated to the Phoenix Court Works foundation supporting organisations across Somers Town, one of the UK’s most economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods, close to St Pancras and Kings Cross.

Venture Partner

2023 - 2023

Previously also a Phoenix Court Fellow (2021-2023)

Angel Investor

2021

Together with Jonathan Lenson, Catherine is an angel investor (in a personal capacity) in some exceptional early-stage tech companies across the UK, US and Israel. Details of our portfolio here: https://www.catherinelenson.com/investing

Founder and CEO

2022 - 2023

Andante Advisory Limited is a boutique consultancy firm which operates as a trusted partner to senior executives and leading organisations on Culture, People and Purpose. We are based in London and work globally. Whether we’re working with executives, managers or individuals, as consultants, advisors or coaches, we partner with clients to help them reach their maximum potential. (Currently not taking on new assignments whilst full time at Phoenix Court)

Managing Partner, Chief People Officer

2017 - 2022

Catherine was the first female Managing Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers, the world’s largest technology investment firm with $175 billion under management in the two SoftBank Vision Funds and SoftBank Latin America Funds. Catherine oversaw the HR, ESG and Real Estate teams and was certified as a Senior Management Function (SMF18) and an FCA Controlled Function (Material Risk Taker) under the UK Financial Conduct Authority Regime. She led interactions with the relevant regulators and Limited Partners on Reward, HR and ESG matters; was an executive member of the SBIA Remuneration Committee; and was a Director of SoftBank entities in Israel and Jersey. She led SoftBank’s early stage venture funds focused on diverse founders, including the $100m+ SB Opportunity Fund (US) and Emerge (EMEA). An experienced and trusted executive coach at C-suite level, as Chief People Officer, she worked with companies within the Vision Fund portfolio on leadership, talent, and operating challenges, including as a Board Director.

Non Executive Director

2021 - 2022

Non Executive Director on the board of this Vision Fund portfolio company. Behavox is an insights company that uses behavioural AI and machine learning to protect enterprises from corporate crises and company-ending events.

Head of Reward | Global Investment Bank and UK / EMEA region

2016 - 2017

Managed the Reward relationships with the UK Board Chair, Remuneration Committee Chair and Nominations Committee Chair and drove the UK Board agenda in these matters. Led interactions with the relevant regulators, including the UK Financial Conduct Authority and UK Prudential Regulation Authority, on Reward and HR matters.

Senior Human Resources Business Partner

2013 - 2016

Senior HR Business Partner across a variety of functions, primarily within the Investment Bank (including Corporate Client Solutions (Investment Banking / DCM / ECM) and Foreign Exchange, Rates & Credit), but also including HR-for-HR and EMEA Group coverage. - Led and managed the provision of the full suite of HR products and services at the right time and the right price, including: supplying talent (workforce planning, sourcing and mobility), developing leaders and management coaching, workforce restructures and downsizing, and managing complex legal issues.

HR Transformation UK Project Lead

2013 - 2013

- Programme management and implementation of a large-scale restructure of the UK Human Resources function.

Chief of Staff to the Global Co-Head of Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities

2011 - 2013

- Chief of Staff to Global Co-Head of FICC within the Investment Bank. - Key responsibilities included day-to-day Chief of Staff support and running of a management office; developing and executing a communications strategy; pro-actively managing a client agenda; coordinating high-profile legal issues; and developing organisational structure and design.

Global HR Business Partner

2005 - 2011

- Front line Human Resources Business Partner leading HR services globally for various front-office and corporate functions of up to 1500 employees. Extensive experience coordinating global functions across major regions / jurisdictions.

HR Graduate

2004 - 2005

Employee Relations, Recruiting, Shared Services roles as part of HR Graduate Programme. Preceded by a Summer Internship from July to September 2003.

Hotel Management Trainee

2003 - 2003

Hotel Management Trainee

2002 - 2002