Catherine Webb: Treasury Official and Emmanuel College Bursar 2026

Catherine Webb, a senior Treasury official and bursar of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, died at 47 from metastatic ovarian cancer. Her career spanned a turbulent period in British politics, where she played a key role in managing the 2008 financial crisis and Brexit.

Born in Bebington, Wirral, to Jane and a social worker father, Katie was brought up in Hartford, Cheshire. She was educated at Hartford county primary school, Hartford high school, and Sir John Deane's sixth form college, where she developed a sophisticated grasp of economics and politics.

Early Life and Education

Katie was the first daughter of Jane (nee Holly) and her husband. Her mother was a probation officer, and her father a social worker. She attended local schools in Hartford before moving to Sir John Deane's sixth form college in Northwich. There, she was noted for her keen understanding of economics and politics. She was already a Labour party activist, a passion she continued at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where she studied economics.

Career at HM Treasury

After graduating in 2000, Katie joined HM Treasury, initially working on labour markets, welfare policy, and poverty analysis. She quickly became central to tackling the 2008 financial crisis, including a secondment to the Bank of England to work on the team trying to save the banking system.

Katie's role expanded during Brexit, where she helped ministers navigate the complex economic fallout. She eventually became the Treasury's director of operations, managing all non-policy aspects of the department.

Key Roles and Contributions

• Played a key role in the 2008 financial crisis response.
• Seconded to the Bank of England to work on saving the banking system.
• Helped ministers deal with Brexit.
• Became Treasury's director of operations.

Later Career at Emmanuel College

After leaving the Treasury, Katie became bursar of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, her alma mater. In this role, she managed the college's finances and operations, bringing her extensive experience in economics and public service.

Personal Life and Legacy

Katie balanced a vibrant social life with her political activism and career. She was known for her sharp intellect, dedication, and warmth. Her death is a loss to the Treasury, Emmanuel College, and all who knew her.

Comparison of Roles

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