Kate Bate

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT KATE BATE

With over 16 years’ experience in the bereavement and end-of-life sector, I began my career in funerals and crematoria within Local Government, later joining Dignity plc in nationwide management and strategic roles spanning eight years. During that time, I completed an Executive MBA with Warwick Business School in early 2020. I have held various senior positions within the bereavement services sector for many years, including Commercial and Operations Director for the Westerleigh Group, Chief Operating Officer of Dignity plc and latterly Chief Executive Officer of Dignity plc, before moving into consultancy roles supporting various bereavement and end-of-life organisations.During my time as CEO Dignity plc underwent a time of fierce change and transformation, not least including a vastly changed strategy, the introduction of regulation, a full organisational restructuring and a take-over in 2022.I have a Law degree, the bereavement-specific Cemetery & Crematorium Management diploma and an Executive MBA from Warwick Business School (completed with a focus on strategic leadership and a final dissertation on how organisations can better support the bereaved.) Outside of my primary role, I am Immediate Past President of the UK\'s national Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities, and the Burial, Cremation & Exhumation Law tutor for the Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management. Recently, I was humbled, honoured and absolutely delighted to be awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Years Honours for services to bereaved people during covid-19.