Katja is the CBI's deputy director-general, leading much of the CBI's lobbying work with politicians and in the media. She works in the UK, through the CBI's international offices round the world, and in Brussels and capitals across Europe to help political parties and governments of all colours create the conditions for business to flourish.
Her role covers every area of CBI policy, but some of Katja's personal priority for this year is improving public trust in business.
Internally, Katja drives CBI policy development and delivery as well as being responsible for the nuts-and-bolts of business planning for the CBI. She leads the organisation in delivering its business plan, chairs the CBI's management board, is an executive member of the CBI board and is a trustee of the CBI pension scheme.
She tweets at @CBIKatja.
External responsibilities
Outside the CBI, Katja has taken on a number of roles to help her put forward the business vision for the UK. She is part of the Business in the Community Education Leadership team, helping to provide strategic guidance and support to BITC as they look to get business more involved in preparing young people for the world of work. She also sits on the Government's Creative Industries Council.
And to help the CBI build alliances among the business community in Europe in our lobbying for a more outward-looking, open and competitive EU, Katja sits on the Executive Committee of BUSINESSEUROPE ' the pan-European business lobby organisation
Personal life
Katja lives in London with her husband and their two girls - as well as Henry, the family's miniature schnauzer. Born in Sweden in 1972, she moved to London in 1989 at the age of 17. She graduated in Economics and Politics from the University of York in 1995 and has an MA in International Relations from Nottingham University.
Job history
Katja has previously been both the CBI's chief policy director and, before that, its director of employment policy. She has led CBI campaigns on Britain's role in the EU, medium-sized businesses, infrastructure, skills and education, improving gender diversity on corporate boards, modernising strike laws and reforming public sector pensions. She also led the CBI's European campaigns to protect the working time opt-out and to make the case for labour market flexibility.
Before her appointment as CBI chief policy director in February 2011, Katja worked in employee relations and change management at the BBC.
