Catherine Birkett joins Twinkl to chair Audit & Risk Committee

Catherine Birkett, Chief Financial Officer at GoCardless, has been appointed as Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Twinkl, the education technology provider.

The appointment is being positioned by Twinkl as part of its focus on reinforcing governance and supporting its sustainability as the organisation continues its global growth. Birkett's responsibilities will include oversight of internal controls and risk management, areas that are increasingly important to the company as it expands its range of products and services internationally.

New board member

Birkett has been a CFO for two decades, most recently at the fintech company GoCardless. She brings a record of managing financial and risk teams in international organisations. Her career includes serving as CFO at Interoute and assisting with the company's acquisition by GTT. In addition to her executive roles, Birkett is currently a Board member at Global Data.

Twinkl, founded in 2010, provides digital educational resources to teachers, parents, and schools. According to the company, its content is used by millions of educators in the UK and in over 190 countries and regions worldwide.

Commitment to governance

Birkett's appointment is a step in Twinkl's recent initiative to enhance its leadership, following new appointments including Chief Education Officer Stuart Parker-Tyreman and Chief Technology Officer Remo Gettini. The company states this is aimed at balancing educational standards, technological development, and commercial responsibility.

Jon Seaton, Chief Executive Officer at Twinkl, commented on the appointment:

"We are delighted to welcome Catherine to Twinkl's Board. Her deep expertise in financial stewardship and risk management will provide invaluable guidance as we continue to grow responsibly and deliver for educators worldwide."

He elaborated on Birkett's specific responsibilities as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee:

"As Chair of our Audit and Risk Committee, Catherine will play a key role in ensuring we have robust internal controls and risk assessment frameworks in place to safeguard Twinkl's mission and operational resilience."

Birkett's previous experience includes working with founders and private equity investors, giving her a perspective that combines growth management and oversight.

On her appointment, Birkett said:

"Effective governance and proactive risk management are essential when it comes to turning strategic ambition into sustained success. I'm delighted to join Twinkl's Board and to contribute to its commitment to having a lasting impact on supporting educators around the world."

Background

Birkett's current responsibilities at GoCardless include leading the Finance Team and Corporate Services. She has been with GoCardless since 2018, where she managed the company's progress through multiple funding rounds and was involved in shaping corporate strategy.

Her time at Interoute, a European telecommunications provider, culminated in the company's sale to GTT, providing her with experience in change management and corporate transitions.

Twinkl, with an offering that now exceeds 1.5 million educational resources, continues to evolve its digital platform to support teachers, nursery staff, parents, and educational organisations. The company's resource library is updated daily, and its reach now includes classroom content, assessment tools, artificial intelligence applications, and augmented reality games.

Twinkl's current customer base exceeds six million globally, and its strategy involves continual investment in content development and digital infrastructure. The appointment of new senior figures to both education and technology leadership positions coincides with these ambitions.

Birkett joins Twinkl at a time when governance and operational oversight are being prioritised in many international education technology companies. Enhanced scrutiny of risk frameworks and internal controls is a common response to digital expansion and the increasing complexity of cross-market operations in the sector.