On behalf of the partners of Saxton Bampfylde, we share with deep sadness the passing of Kat Mason, a dear colleague, and former Head of our Social Impact Practice.
Kat joined us at Saxton Bampfylde back in early 2022, bringing years of experience in the charity sector, including seven years as Chief Executive of MediCinema, the national health and arts charity. Having been an exemplar of how high-quality leadership can develop and then accelerate the capacity of charities to meet their mission and grow their impact, she joined us to bring that understanding to help other organisations find the leaders who would bring this capability to them. She was also powered by a profound commitment to the sector, and her vision for our Social Impact practice was to deepen our partnership with it, supporting organisations not only in leadership search but also in meeting broader senior-level challenges, fostering diversity, resilience, and sustainable impact.
Her own experience as a leader in the sector and in managing challenges, allowed Kat to bring deep and valuable insight to how charities could navigate their issues, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was a passionate advocate for embedding lived experience at the heart of charitable work and for nurturing the next generation of leaders in the social impact sector.
Kat was an exceptional colleague who always went above and beyond for her clients and colleagues. She made a lasting impact on everyone she worked with, both inside and outside the firm. She was the embodiment of our values and ethos as a generous, kind, positive and optimistic person, bringing endless energy to the causes and work that were important to her.
Kat’s leadership, warmth, and dedication have left an indelible mark on us at Saxton Bampfylde and on the wider social impact community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege to work alongside her. Kat is survived by her husband Conrad and their two young children. She will be missed by many, but her legacy will continue to inspire us, as we carry forward the mission she so passionately championed.