Katharine Finn has become Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers (SMV) for 2026–27, bringing extensive experience of business leadership, charitable governance and community partnerships to the role.

Having built strong relationships across Bristol’s business, charitable and civic communities throughout her career, Katharine is looking forward to building on the Society’s established partnerships and exploring new opportunities to create lasting benefits for people across the region.

“One of the things I’m most looking forward to is having the opportunity, during my year as Master, to spend more time with the extraordinary people and organisations who are making a difference in our communities,” she says.

“Whether that’s through our partnerships with charities and community organisations, our work to broaden opportunities for young people, or bringing entrepreneurs and business leaders together, there is so much happening across Bristol. I’m keen to build on those relationships and achieve even more together.”

Katharine began her career with Price Waterhouse, now PwC, after graduating from Somerville College, Oxford, with a degree in Modern Languages. She went on to spend her entire executive career with the firm, becoming a partner in 2006 and holding a number of senior leadership positions, including Regional Leader, before retiring in 2025.

Alongside her professional career, she has developed strong connections across Bristol’s business, charitable and civic communities, taking on a number of senior voluntary and advisory roles involving leadership, governance and strategic responsibility. These have included Deputy Chair of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, Bristol City Chair for TheCityUK and the Prince of Wales’ Ambassador for Responsible Business in the South West.

She is currently a trustee of St Monica Trust, which provides accommodation and care for older people, and Bristol Music Trust, which operates Bristol Beacon and its music education programme. She has also served as a trustee of Avon Wildlife Trust and is one of several SMV members involved in mentoring entrepreneurs from Black and minoritised communities through SMV’s partnership with Black South West Network, helping them develop their businesses and build valuable connections.

Katharine sees considerable value in SMV’s ability to bring individuals and organisations together, connecting people with shared ambitions and helping new ideas and partnerships develop.

Two examples are Quartet Community Foundation, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2026, and Bristol & Bath Regional Capital, which marked ten years in 2025.

Over four decades, Quartet has developed into an important source of funding, expertise and encouragement for charities and community groups working to improve lives across the West of England.

Bristol & Bath Regional Capital has established itself as a place-based impact investor, working with partners to address inequality, support more resilient communities, increase affordable housing and create positive social and environmental change.

For Katharine, their development demonstrates what can happen when people recognise a shared need and work together to find a solution.

“It’s wonderful to see what organisations such as Quartet and Bristol & Bath Regional Capital have achieved, and how their work has developed over the years. SMV was involved in their beginnings, but their success belongs to the many people and organisations who have helped them grow and make such a difference.

“Bringing people together, sharing ideas and making connections can lead to remarkable things. You never quite know what might grow from those conversations, or what might become possible when people decide to work together.”

Another area of particular interest to Katharine is the progress being made in broadening horizons and creating opportunities for young people across Bristol and the wider region.

Working closely with youth organisations, education providers, Bristol City Council and other partners, SMV is helping to connect existing initiatives, strengthen collaboration and turn shared ambitions into practical opportunities for young people. Relationships with community organisations, and conversations with young people themselves, provide valuable insight into the challenges they encounter, their aspirations and where additional support could make the greatest difference.

“We’re spending more time with organisations in their own communities, visiting youth centres and meeting people who work directly with young people every day,” Katharine explains.

She highlights SMV’s relationships with South Bristol Youth and 224 Youth Zone as examples of the insight and connections that are helping to shape this work.

“It’s incredibly valuable to hear from those on the ground, and from young people themselves, about the opportunities they would like and the barriers they face. The more we listen and understand, the more purposeful we can be in working with others to make a difference.”

Katharine also sees considerable potential in the networks, knowledge and experience that individual members of SMV can contribute: “Collectively, our members have a wealth of experience and connections across so many different sectors. Opening up those networks can create opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs who might not otherwise have access to them. It’s about connecting people and helping them make the most of the opportunities available.”

Ambitious projects and partnerships are also taking shape through SMV’s Almshouse and Cote charities, both of which have a longstanding commitment to supporting older people. Katharine sees these developments as an opportunity to extend the charities’ reach and make a difference to even more people across the region.

Keen to build on the progress made under her predecessor, Jonathon Baker, whose year as Master saw further developments in the Society’s work with partners across Bristol, Katharine says: “Jonathon has brought such tremendous energy and enthusiasm to the role, and I’m very grateful for everything he has achieved. I’ll do my best to match that energy as we take forward the projects and partnerships already developing.”

The year ahead will be about continuing to strengthen relationships, listening to the people and communities SMV seeks to support, and finding ways to bring different organisations and individuals together around shared ambitions.

“Bristol is a city with extraordinary talent, energy and ideas, but we also know that opportunities aren’t equally available to everyone. Addressing that inequality is something I care deeply about, and I believe SMV has an important role to play in working alongside others, opening up our networks and helping to ensure that more people have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

“There’s already so much excellent work taking place across Bristol, and I’m looking forward to building on that, strengthening our partnerships and finding new ways to make a meaningful difference over the next twelve months and beyond.”