Caroline Burt

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT CAROLINE BURT

As a historian, I am fascinated by how change comes about and how patterns recur through the ages; and by the importance of individual leadership. The right leadership can drive an organisation forward; the wrong leadership, no matter how good the checks and balances, can destroy it.My career has taken a non-linear course. After school, I had a gap year working at Arthur Andersen on their scholarship programme, in corporate tax and, during university vacations, PAYE. After my undergraduate degree at Cambridge, I did an MPhil and PhD, and then progressed to an academic career. A key focus for me was pedagogy. I always tried to step back and give the students the tools to produce their best work, particularly emphasising the importance of reaching a conclusion, then working back from that to create an essay structure, before committing fingers to keyboard. As a working class woman from Manchester, I have always understood the feelings that many have of not belonging or not fitting, and fears about financial security. My experiences were different from many people I was at university with, having travelled to cleaning jobs with my mum. This gave me a determination to succeed, but the help I received along the way at the same time imbued in me a strong desire to advocate for others. I also believe that improved diversity, done in a data-driven way, makes for greater strength. With this in mind, I moved into university admissions work, delivering major change, with academic performance climbing as the diversity of our student body increased.I remain a historian, and recently published my first ‘trade’ book, Arise, England: Six Kings and the Making of the English State, with Faber. The Telegraph named it as one of the best history books of 2024. My next project, also with Faber, is on the House of Lancaster, tentatively titled Heroes and Villains.I have worked on two boards as a non-exec director, sitting on Regulation and Audit Committees and chairing a Remuneration Committee. I am always on the lookout for challenging non-exec work where my rich experience, strategic vision and attention to detail, and knowledge of strong recruitment processes (people are key to success), can make a difference.In the latest stage of my career, I am working in the private equity industry, as a content specialist producing thought leadership for a leading placement agent in London. Outside work, I love playing and watching all sports (mostly those that involve chasing a ball!), reading, travelling and learning new languages.