Katie grew up in Cockermouth and, after a few years away in various roles and cities, moved back in 2003. She started volunteering at the Kirkgate Centre in 2014 in the box office, with the music programming group and the Friends of the Kirkgate fund raising committee. Always willing to get stuck in, it wasn’t long before she started assisting the caretaker, Peter Rothwell, around the building, eventually taking on the role of operations assistant when he retired. Peter sadly passed away in 2021 and is fondly remembered with a plaque dedicated to him backstage.
Katie’s role has now grown, and she is now responsible for all things technical at the centre as well as room hire, operations and even turning her hand to marketing. No two days are the same, and no two events are the same. Katie loves the variation and the opportunity to learn new skills and meet all sorts of different people.