The very high-f lyer who’s Kate’s new right-hand woman
THE Duchess of Cambridge has signalled her determination to beef up her office – and public profile – with the appointment of a high-flying new private secretary.
Kate has poached Catherine Quinn, currently chief operating officer at Oxford University’s Said Business School, to become her ‘gatekeeper’.
Mrs Quinn, 58, who previously held roles at the Wellcome Trust and the Middle Temple, is likely to receive a six-figure salary which will be met by Prince Charles through his private income from the Duchy of Cornwall.
Last year he spent close to £3.5million supporting William, Kate and Harry’s official work and private households.
Mrs Quinn will replace Rebecca Deacon, dubbed Kate’s Girl Friday, who is leaving at the end of this week to work as a private consultant. Much-liked Miss Deacon, 34, has been a member of the duchess’s inner circle from the time of her wedding to Prince William in 2011, guiding her through the early years of royal life.
Lancashire-born Mrs Quinn, a divorcee with a grown-up son, has an MBA from Oxford as well as degrees from other British and US universities.
She spent several years working at Oxford, directing the university’s Research Services and co-founding Oxford University Consulting, before joining the Wellcome Trust, the charitable healthcare foundation, where she led its grantgiving operations.
From there she moved to become chief executive of the Middle Temple, one of the Inns of Court to which barristers belong. Finally she joined Oxford Said, juggling the role with positions on the boards of the Charity Commission, the Met Office, the Royal British Legion and the National Memorial Arboretum.
Her appointment is a significant one, coming as William quits as an air ambulance pilot to become a full-time working royal in support of the Queen, 91, whose husband Prince Philip, 95, will officially retire from public duties tomorrow.
Royal aides acknowledge that Kate will also be taking a significant step up in support of the monarch. Both she and William have been rattled in recent years by suggestions that they are ‘workshy’.
As private secretary, Mrs Quinn will become integral to every aspect of Kate’s private and public life.
A source said: ‘ This is a significant appointment and signifies what many see as the “professionalising” of William and Kate’s private office as they embrace a more high profile royal role.’
The Queen’s private secretary Sir Christopher Geidt, 55, is stepping down after 15 years at Buckingham Palace. He will be succeeded by his deputy Edward Young.