Catherine Martin is an experienced Senior Executive and Senior Private Sector Development Advisor with 12 years of diplomatic experience, specializing in Asia and Africa.

She has a diverse background, having worked in the Private sector, DFID, and the World Bank group. Catherine spent eight years in the World Bank Group, holding senior corporate and program management roles.

Catherine has a strong track record in Growth and Private sector development, with portfolio management experience in financial sector development, trade, investment climate, and SME development. She has been a key donor lead for Trade, Finance, and Private sectors in all her country postings.

Her Private sector experience includes import/export trade businesses and joint ventures. She managed SMEs and joint ventures, particularly in trade and investment projects in the Far East, specializing in China.

Catherine possesses a robust set of business management, people and project management, and strategic leadership skills. She is also known for her effective communication and interpersonal skills, being a fluent Mandarin speaker.

Education-wise, Catherine Martin holds a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Studies with Politics from the University of Leeds. She studied Post Graduate research in Chinese Economy and Town and Village Enterprises at the University of Nanjing, China. Additionally, she completed an International Masters Program for Managers focusing on Leadership and management at Lancaster University and McGill University.

Throughout her career, Catherine has held key roles such as Senior Operations Officer/CPC at The World Bank, Advisor at World Bank Group, Principal Strategy Officer at IFC - International Finance Corporation, Senior Private Sector Advisor at DFID, and Director at Anglo Chinese Development Corporation Ltd.