People of Katapult: Meet Cathy, our Finance Manager

Behind every successful business is someone who keeps the numbers in check, and at Katapult, that's our Finance Manager, Cathy. For the past two years, she's been an integral part of the team, combining a talent for spreadsheets with a sharp eye for detail, working closely with our team, vendor partners and clients every day. We caught up with her to learn more about her experience so far at Katapult, what she enjoys most about her role, and the experiences she's gained along the way– because not only is Cathy a whizz with numbers– she’s also an attractions enthusiast!

What brought you to Katapult?

With nearly two decades of experience across some of the world’s most iconic design and architecture practices, I have a deep understanding of the creative industries and what it takes to keep ambitious, project-driven businesses financially healthy. Before making the UK my home, I spent six years managing large-scale infrastructure projects in China, working across borders with international teams, government bodies, and global contractors. 

At Katapult, I’ve combined that broad experience with a forward-thinking approach to financial management - implementing new tools to bring real-time visibility to our cash flow and project performance, and building the financial foundations that support everything this brilliant team creates. Finance, for me, has always been about enabling creativity - not constraining it.

What have you learnt since working in the themed attractions industry? 

I’m still finding my feet in this industry, but one thing I feel deeply is that what’s truly important in themed attractions isn’t the bigger rides or flashier technology - it’s about real human connection.

I believe that the most loved parks in the world aren’t remembered for their engineering. They’re remembered for the moments they created. I know this personally - my first date with my husband was at Hong Kong Ocean Park. I traveled from China, he traveled from the UK, and we met at the park and rode together for the first time. That park didn’t just give us a ride. It gave us a memory we’ll never forget, and a story we still tell.

That’s what the best attractions do. They create the conditions for real experiences - first dates, family milestones, childhood wonder - moments that get into people’s hearts and never leave. And when something gets into your heart, you come back. You bring your children. You tell everyone.

I think the future of this industry belongs to the parks and experiences that understand this — where storytelling, design, and emotion work together to create genuine human connection. Not just something to see, but something to feel. That’s what makes Katapult’s work so meaningful — and why I feel lucky to play even a small part in it.

What is your favourite thing about working in this industry?

My favourite thing about working in this industry is that it never feels like work in the ordinary sense. Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to attend IAAPA Asia with Phil - my first major industry event - visiting Shanghai Legoland and Disneyland, seeing world-class themed attractions up close and understanding what makes them truly extraordinary. As a finance professional, I could have easily stayed behind a spreadsheet - but being out in the field, walking through these spaces, gave me a completely new perspective on what Katapult’s work means in the real world.

What did you enjoy most about the IAAPA Asia trip?

What struck me most wasn’t the scale of the attractions - it was the people. The themed entertainment industry is a small, passionate, and remarkably generous community. Everywhere I went, I met people who genuinely love what they do and are excited to talk about it. Those connections felt real and lasting, not transactional. It reminded me that at the heart of this industry - behind every ride, every themed space, every moment of wonder - are people who care deeply about bringing joy to others. I feel very lucky to be part of that world.

We love having you here at Katapult, what is your best memory so far?

My best memory at Katapult is the all-company meeting I attended just one month after joining in July 2024 - held, fittingly, at Drayton Manor. There’s something wonderfully Katapult about gathering your team at a theme park; a place built entirely to bring people joy, wonder, and a sense of play. It felt like a statement of who we are.

It was the first time I got to see everyone together in one room, and I remember being struck by the energy and warmth in that space. Coming from large global firms where you could work for years without ever meeting the whole team, there was something genuinely special about being able to look around and see every single person who makes Katapult what it is.

Hearing the mission, vision, and values brought to life by the people who live them every day made me realise I hadn’t just found a new job - I’d found a team I wanted to grow with. As the newest face in the room, I felt welcomed, included, and inspired all at once. One month in, that meeting made Katapult feel like home.

When you’re not keeping us in check at Katapult, what are you doing with your time?

Outside of balancing Katapult's books, I'm also trying to balance on pointe - I attend weekly adult ballet classes and am currently preparing for my ABRSM Grade 4 piano exam, proving it is never too late to learn something beautiful.

I am also most likely rewatching Pride and Prejudice - for what may or may not be the hundredth time!