As part of our 'meet the team' series, we talk to learning and development manager, Cat Bate about changing career, her passion for developing people and what she enjoys most about her job.
When Cat joined Mewburn Ellis in September 2021, she was the firm’s first ever learning and development manager. Since then, she has transformed the way the business develops its people, identifying learning needs across the firm and designing solutions that benefit individual employees as well as the business as a whole.
Her enthusiasm for her work is evident, but it took Cat a while to find a career that suited her skills and interests.
“I loved the idea of being a doctor,” says Cat. “Unfortunately, at quite an early age it became clear I was far too squeamish – I just couldn’t do it.”
When the time came to decide on a university course, Cat opted for law, inspired by the film Erin Brockovich. By graduation she knew a legal career wasn’t for her but uncertain of what she wanted to do instead, she took a gap year to travel which ended up being extended to two.
“When I got home from travelling, I really needed a job, so I applied to Deloitte to become an accountant,” explains Cat. “I qualified and started working in international tax, eventually moving to EY.
“As well as my accountancy work, I found myself getting more and more involved in recruitment, mentoring, looking after trainees and other things that reflected my passion for people. This didn’t go unnoticed and I was told that I had better stick to my day job as it was taking up too much of my time.”
A change of direction
Cat was beginning to realise she enjoyed the people development work far more than accountancy so when a secondment in the EY talent development team came up she applied.
“I was brought in to set up a career coaching scheme for newly qualified accountants. Even if one of our accountants had decided they didn’t want to work in that field anymore, EY was keen for them to stay within the business and perhaps move to a different, more suitable role.”
She relocated to London to work on the project which was a big success. Once the coaching team was firmly established, she began to work on a broader range of learning and development projects. She loved the job and was delighted when her secondment was extended and she was eventually offered a permanent role.
Keen to move back to the North West where she is from, in 2018 Cat took a role with pensions and investment company, Royal London before joining Mewburn Ellis three years later.
“The firm is far smaller than the organisations I have worked at before which had thousands of employees,” says Cat. “That means I can really get to know everyone at Mewburn on an individual basis, which I really enjoy.
“I guess I have come full circle, tying in my original interest in the law with my learning and development experience in professional services. I also find my years as an accountant help me to understand what it is like for our attorneys being fee-earners and the added pressures that brings.”
Making a difference
Cat, who describes herself as “energetic, talkative and creative” has found the perfect role. She has been able to make a real difference, working across the business to create a unique training structure that she believes other IP firms do not have.
“I have put in place competency frameworks for both paralegals and attorneys, am implementing a new learning management system, have changed our trainee rotations and have put in place a new online appraisal system,” says Cat.
“There are always new areas to work on and I like the fact I am creating initiatives from scratch, seeking input from people across the business and coming up with ways of doing things that didn’t exist before and are tailored to the business.
“I’m particularly proud of our attorney competency framework that sets out clear career paths for attorneys and the technical and soft skills needed to move through from being professionally qualified to partner or IP director level.”
For Cat, the hardest part of the job is working out how to prioritise her time. “In the few years I have been working at Mewburn Ellis, my remit has broadened and I’m always getting involved in new things. There are plenty of areas where we can develop our L&D offering, but there’s only one of me so I have to focus on what will make the biggest difference.”
Outside of work, Cat can be found out walking her dog. “I have a 42 kg goldendoodle called Indie. He needs a lot of exercise so I take him out three times a day.” Otherwise, Cat spends time with family and friends or indulges her love of photography. “I’ve taken portrait courses and photography walking tours in Manchester where I live,” she explains, “But it’s taking photos of my travels that I enjoy the most.”
