Catherine Cheetham

COO and Chief of Staff at Firefly and COO and Chief of Staff at Firefly Green Fuels at Green Fuels

Catherine is an Unreasonable Fellow and Mentor.

I am COO and Chief of Staff for James Hygate at Firefly Green Fuels. Our purpose is clear - to combat climate change through decarbonising aviation and saving carbon on a gigatonne scale. We will lead a new sewage biosolids-to-jet category, and then expanding to Wet-to-Jet globally. Our passion, science and engineering brilliance is extraordinary, and potential is huge.

Previous to this I have worked in both large corporates (BDO, Herbert Smith Freehills and Dresdner Bank) and startups (OVO Energy in its infancy 2011, Good Energy and Fourth Floor marketing agency). And so many learnings and insight into creating a balanced culture of agility, innovation and growth mindset.

I’ve worked with founders and entrepreneurs – being the ‘integrator’ to the ‘visionary’ (EOS) and trusted counsel. I use a strategic yet people-centred approach, encouraging others to harness their creativity, navigate change with confidence and thrive in ambitious, fast paced environments.

I’ve driven growth, operational excellence and cultural transformation while helping individuals and teams develop innovative thinking, growth mindsets and outcome-focused leadership.

My approach is simple – harmonise, trust and grow together around a clear purpose and values – with a little courage over comfort and kindness to your own wellbeing.

Another equally important role in my life is being a wife and mother to two teenage boys - I may be biased, but they’re gorgeous… most of the time! I’m also a keen golfer and skier, and I love cooking, especially when it means gathering family and friends around a full table.