The announcement follows a formal recruitment process led by the chair of the HVM Catapult, Allan Cook CBE. She will take on the role, later in 2021.
"She will bring a wealth of industrial experience combined with real passion for the vital role the HVM Catapult has to play in assisting the UK’s post-Covid recovery and supporting the innovation that will boost the UK’s position in global markets," said Cook. "Katherine is indeed a worthy successor to Dick Elsy and will undoubtedly build on his outstanding legacy for the HVM Catapult.”
Elsy said: "The announcement of Katherine’s appointment is very good news not just for the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, but for the whole of UK engineering and manufacturing.
"Her experience in a senior leadership role with Airbus in the UK means she brings a depth of understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by UK manufacturers as they innovate to grow their market share and address shared challenges such as reducing carbon emissions. I will be pleased to leave the organisation in her extremely capable hands.”
Bennett said: “I am honoured to have been asked to lead the next phase of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult’s development, building on the strong foundations which have been created over the past eight years.
"The HVM Catapult has the wide-ranging relationships and understanding needed to be part of the Industrial Strategy refresh process and to contribute to building the UK’s status as a scientific superpower.
"The Catapult’s country-wide network of centres provides the ideal platform from which to diffuse the latest capabilities to the thousands of manufacturing businesses that are the bedrock of our economy, boosting their performance, preparing them to be part of the Prime Minister’s Green Industrial Revolution and growing their contribution to our national prosperity.”
Born in Warwickshire, Bennett is a senior vice president of Airbus and has been with the company for 16 years. She leads the company’s external engagement and strategy in the UK and was awarded the Order of Commander of the British Empire in January 2019 for services to the aerospace and aviation sector. She managed the public affairs for VentilatorChallengeUK which was led by the HVM Catapult.