About Kate Wood

From the Breadline to the Boardroom: My Journey to Celebrancy

I've always been fascinated by people's life stories. Give me Desert Island Discs over anything on Netflix. Every episode teaches me something new.

My life experience has taught me to listen, celebrate differences, find light in dark moments, and always bring kindness, warmth, and presence into the room. I know what it means to navigate big life changes, and I don't take lightly the privilege of standing beside someone during theirs.

By 21, I was a single mum to two babies, Bebee and Rye born just 12 months apart (I'm much better at planning these days, honest!). Those early years were hard at times, but brilliant. As a little gang of 3 armed with backpacks and a Lidl tent, we loved to travel. Those travels taught me about different people, different ways of living, and the beauty in every stranger's story.

Finding My Voice in Unexpected Places

For years, I worked wherever I could to fit around the kids. Then I did something terrifying: I took a job in technology sales, despite never having worked in an office. Within three months, I'd won salesperson of the month. I grew from nervous newbie to Director of Culture, working with a team of Cultural Ambassadors to help transform that business into the Sunday Times #1 company to work for in the UK.

I have since enjoyed speaking at many conferences across the world including Microsoft Inspire (Las Vegas), Fortinet, CRN, UA92, Comms Vision, Women of the Channel Europe, WIT Network UK and WIT Network Canada, AVB/Brandsource (Las Vegas), HPE, BT and EE Conference, Global HRD Summit (India) and Google to name a few!

Building Culture, Driving Growth

Since then, I’ve worked with a range of organisations helping them navigate growth and change. I'm proud to have been a co-lead for Women in Tech North since 2018, a thriving community of over 3,200 members. I also serve as a non-executive director for Unlimited Potential, a community benefit society driving real system change and tackling social and economic challenges.

My voluntary roles continue to be a source of learning and inspiration; without a doubt, they make me a better professional.

Why Celebrancy Called to Me

In 2023, I wrote and delivered a speech at the funeral of one of my dearest friends, Julie. Speaking about the importance of friendship at her ceremony was an honour. I learned a lot about grief.

That experience made it clear that everything I’d done up to that point had been leading me here. The early struggles, the keynote stages, the boardrooms, all of it shaped me into someone who could hold space for others in life’s most meaningful moments. And I know my friend Julie would be proud.

For almost 20 years, I have managed and run high-pressure events and situations in many different formats and for many kinds of people, delivering well-organised and on-budget outcomes, including high-pressure boardrooms, large corporate conferences in the UK and abroad, and chaired meetings with vulnerable and complex families. I can adapt my style to ensure everyone feels included and engaged, and de-escalate any situation that arises with a mix of humour, patience, and thoughtfulness.

Life Beyond Ceremonies

I’m mildly obsessed with second-hand clothes, especially dresses with pockets. I am involved with the Manchester Fashion Movement, helping to raise awareness of the impact clothing consumption and waste have on people and the planet.

I love spending time with family and friends, travelling, running, watching cricket, swimming, reading, hosting my monthly Cinema Club, and faffing around in my garden, talking to my flowers and watching the birds.

For the last 14 years, I’ve gone to the Hay Literary Festival, my favourite week of the year. It’s a chance to hear from so many diverse and fascinating speakers, alongside of course, visiting the fantastic charity shops Hay on Wye has to offer with my mum!

From sleeping in tents to speaking in boardrooms, life has handed me a pretty varied script and now I get to help others tell theirs.

My Values as Your Celebrant

Authenticity:

Life is beautifully messy. Your ceremony should reflect real life, real love, real loss – not some impossible perfect ideal.
Inclusivity:

Every family structure, every love story, every background is welcome. I'll help you include everyone who matters.
Storytelling:

Your ceremony starts with your story. I listen, really listen, then weave your words and memories into something that sounds unmistakably like you.
Simplicity:

Big life events can feel overwhelming. I'm here to cut through the noise and focus on what really matters.
Sustainability:

Where possible, I encourage thoughtful choices that reflect care for our planet and future generations.