Catherine Spitzer is the CEO of Environment Bank, who are working with forward-thinking landowners to create a nationwide network of habitat banks to ensure organisations can meet their #biodiversitynetgain requirements through their pioneering new product, BNG Credits.
It’s been through a journey filled with curiosity which has led me down all sorts of paths with a wide range of experiences along the way. It’s required some bravery as I have sort out interesting and unusual challenges.
I started my career in law, but quickly realised I was too commercially driven to stay in the traditional legal field. I shifted into IT law, which was a new and exciting area at the time, right in the midst of the dotcom boom. I had the chance to work with start-ups like eBay and Amazon, as well as secondments into companies like Shell, CGNU, Vodafone, and Huon.
I have always focused on transformation strategy, building strong commercial team cultures, and driving growth through agile, tech-enabled approaches. Over the years, I’ve led major business transformations, delivering double-digit growth and working across business restructuring, turnarounds, scale-ups, and trade sales, especially in Private Equity-backed companies. I’ve taken on senior roles like UK Group Managing Director at a legal tech company, Managing Director at a professional services firm, and COO of a global tech business. I’ve also Chaired a law firm and a property consultancy, served on Cambridge Uni’s audit committee and am a NED of a PE backed business.
I’ve taken a few career pauses after successful runs, never afraid to make myself redundant and step back to give myself the space to explore new challenges. During those breaks, I’ve invested in personal growth, like earning a professional coaching accreditation, which has added a new dimension to my work.
I’ve always been curious about the world, which is what attracted me to the opportunity at Environment Bank. I see this as an exciting challenge and a bold step into something truly ground-breaking, bringing private finance into much needed nature recovery (41% of UK species have declined since 1970).
Without doubt my 3 teenage girls, they amaze me constantly with their ideas, capabilities and achievements.
I’ve also undertaken expeditions to the north and south poles, completed a half Marathon des Sables and climbed some large mountains – proud of those achievements too. It’s the same curiosity about the world and what I can achieve.
How do you balance being a Mum and a CEO?
You can’t do everything. Accept all the support you can, whether it’s from family, childcare, or help around the house, and prioritise what’s most important in the moment—whether that’s work or quality time with family. It’s essential to let go of lots of everyday tasks (and not feel guilty about it), as those aren’t where you add the most value as both a CEO and a mum.
I’m all about being hands-on and collaborative, and I really believe in creating resilient, high-performing teams in inclusive environments. Alignment of values is key. We need brave, independent thinkers who aren’t afraid to challenge ideas respectfully. It’s also essential to find people with complementary skill sets because no individual is great at everything. I’d rather focus on people’s strengths rather than try to ‘fix’ their weaknesses. Let people focus on what they do best, and with the right team, you can cover everything that needs to be done. And of course, it has to be fun— it’s easy to forget this bit but for me it’s essential to enjoy the process and share plenty of laughs along the way!
The experience as one of their candidates was exceptional—nothing like I’d encountered before. It did require a bit more effort on my part, but the thorough preparation they provided for the interviews was invaluable. They really thought things through and ensured candidates were well-prepped for their roles. I ended up making some great connections through them, and it didn’t feel like I was just a commodity. It felt more like a consultancy service, which set them apart from other recruitment firms.
As a client, I was impressed by the level of detail and engagement they brought to the table to truly understand my needs and find the right people. Every interaction felt meaningful, and their weekly follow-ups showed how dedicated they were. They really bought into the process, which helped bring my team along on the journey.