Kate Welch

Kate Welch is currently a PhD candidate at Durham University since October 2024. As Chief Executive of Social Enterprise Acumen CIC since March 2013, Kate focuses on inspiring sustainable change by supporting social entrepreneurs and building enterprising communities, while also holding the Social Enterprise Mark. Additional roles include serving as a Governor at Houghton Kepier School, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Acumen Community Buildings Ltd, and a Non-Executive Director at Communities Together Durham. Kate has been a Leadership Fellow with the Society of Leadership Fellows since 2017 and has had a long-standing commitment to Girlguiding in various capacities since 1974. Kate's previous positions include Director at Mathematical Modelling Ltd and Vice-Chair of Northumbria Industrial Mission. As the founder and director of Acumen Development Trust, Kate has consistently contributed to community and social enterprise development. Academic qualifications include an MA in Social Policy from the University of York and a Small Business Growth Programme from Durham University Business School.