Catherine
Barker

WHO I HELP

Our people.

HOW I HELP

By supporting our employees, from recruitment to payroll and everything in between.

SECTORS/SUPPORT

All team members across AAB Group with a focus on those within the Business Advisory Group, Private Client, and the Virtual Finance Function team.

“PRIORITISING PEOPLE – BOTH OUR TEAM MEMBERS & OUR CLIENTS – IS AT THE CENTRE OF OUR VALUES.”

As our People & Culture Business Partner, Catherine Barker’s role is to collaborate with business unit leaders to provide clear and strategic guidance on all aspects of developing and supporting the talent within the business. Catherine works alongside the leadership team to ensure excellent people management skills are employed throughout the entire group. She is a valued and trusted advisor on all things ‘people’ across group locations in the UK; one of her colleagues has described how, in their 25 years working in HR, “Catherine is one of the most promising HR professionals” they have ever worked with.

Naturally, Catherine’s role involves many moving parts. This includes ensuring that we have the right people with the right skills and capabilities in the right roles, while also ensuring that we remain agile and adaptable to constantly evolving ways of working as the group continues to grow.

According to Catherine, the most crucial aspect of meeting the challenges that her role brings is, first and foremost, thoroughly knowing her team.

DELIVERING EXCELLENT SERVICE

“My team members expect the same service as external clients. Regular communication, timely delivery of high-quality work that meets their specific needs, professionalism, attention to detail, flexibility, expertise, transparency, responsiveness, and a commitment to creating value and building long-term relationships.”

COLLABORATION & SUPPORT

“For me, the most satisfying aspects of working with colleagues are primarily collaborating effectively to achieve a common goal, learning from each other’s expertise, and building a supportive and productive team dynamic.”

BEING FEARLESS & CONFIDENT

“Embracing a disruptive, feisty, and assertive approach is a powerful way in which we approach work. We do this by challenging norms and expectations, taking risks, seeking innovative solutions, and questioning processes. We continuously strive to learn and grow as professionals by challenging and being challenged by others in our field.”

GOING ABOVE & BEYOND

“We’re growing and changing as a team, which means everyone gets to shape their role. We work with big multi-national brands as well as individuals, who all trust us to get results. We’re proud of the strong relationships we’ve built with our clients, and we work hard to keep them going and thriving. As we grow and partner with new clients, we have opportunities to create even more value for everyone involved.

CENTERING PEOPLE

“Prioritising people – both our team members and our clients – is at the centre of our Group values. Our team members are essential to our success at AAB. We are absolutely dedicated to providing a workplace where they can learn, grow, and achieve their goals in an uplifting and supportive environment.”