Catherine Nicholson - Managing Director

Catherine has overall responsibility for the company in conjunction with the board of trustees. She has worked in local government for 23 years as a Housing Benefit manager and has worked on many projects for the Department for Work and Pensions. Having been actively involved in delivering welfare reform and benefit maximisation throughout her career. With experience in funding streams from Housing Benefit and compliance with the Charities Commission. She has overall responsibility to ensure the company is financially stable and that the company operates as a not for profit organisation. Catherine works closely with the full time company accountant and bookkeeper, to ensure financial compliance is met at all levels.

Catherine has taken the company from small company of just a couple of people in 2011 to a 27 strong company in 2024

Qualified as a IRRV professional and holding numerous industry qualifications within local
government and housing, she is able to speak knowledgably to peers and local authorities about the best fit for Fortunatus' tenants and the future of the company. Working in conjunction with the board, a holisitic approach is taken to all strategic decisions made within the company and best practice is a key component within daily decision making.

Catherine was elected to the Executive Committee for the Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the IRRV in April 2014 and has been the President of this branch four times. 

Catherine also works with local groups and local and central government to reduce the stigma with regards to mental health and to encourage changes in funding legislation that is now 30 years old and not always fit for purpose.