Open to opportunities

Kate Makuen

@katemakuen

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Experienced marketing leader in financial services driving brand and growth.

United Kingdom

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What I'm looking for

I seek senior marketing or commercial roles in financial/tech firms where I can lead brand, go-to-market and partnership strategies, coach teams, and drive measurable business growth in regulated environments.

I am an experienced marketing and business development leader with a long track record across global financial and professional services brands, including American Express, J.P. Morgan Chase, HSBC, RBS and Deutsche Bank/DWS.

I deliver brand communications, go-to-market strategy, sales enablement, partnership activation and C-level stakeholder engagement, having led programmes that supported regulatory responses and avoided significant financial penalties.

I have built and coached teams in UK-regulated environments, led global strategic communications, managed large budgets and executed integrated campaigns across digital, print, events and media to increase awareness and drive client adoption.

I am passionate about education, financial literacy and sustainability, serve on boards and networks, and currently provide consulting on marketing strategy and content to financial and technology companies.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Consultant

Current

Independent Consultant

Mar 2023 - Present (2 years 6 months)

Provides marketing strategy and content creation to financial and technology companies, delivering go-to-market plans, brand communications, and campaign execution for senior stakeholders.

Marketing Strategy Content Creation Go To Market Brand Communications Campaign Management Sales Enablement Stakeholder Engagement Financial Services

Senior Client Relationship Manager

GSS UK Limited

Mar 2023 - Jun 2023 (3 months)

Developed sales plans targeting global banks for sanctions screening and SaaS products, driving pipeline development and commercial engagement with institutional clients.

Sales Planning Client Relationship Management SaaS Sales Pipeline Development Financial Services B2B Sales Account Management

Interim Director, Business Development

Reddie & Grose LLP

Sep 2022 - Feb 2023 (5 months)

Led business development and marketing for a top-ranked IP law firm, delivered a full brand refresh across digital and print, and established a partnership with the UK Business Angels Association to expand reach.

Brand Refresh Business Development Partnership Development Account Planning Stakeholder Management Digital Marketing

Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer

Startup2Exit Club

Jan 2019 - Feb 2022 (3 years 1 month)

Co-founded a management consultancy helping founders scale businesses and served as interim/fractional CMO and Head of Partnerships for client engagements to drive growth and go-to-market execution.

Partnerships Go To Market Strategy Growth Strategy Founder Advising Marketing Leadership Client Services Scaling

Global Head of Strategic Communications

Deutsche Bank

Jan 2016 - Dec 2018 (2 years 11 months)

Led strategic communications for Compliance, Regulation and Anti-Financial Crime, protecting the bank's reputation, coordinating regulatory responses and stakeholder engagement to avoid potential fines up to €1 billion.

Strategic Communications Crisis Management Stakeholder Engagement & Compliance Media Relations

Head of Marketing

DWS

Jan 2014 - Dec 2016 (2 years 11 months)

Led UK & Ireland marketing and Alternatives marketing for EMEA, supporting institutional sales with events and roadshows and increasing UCITS distribution and brand awareness across target markets.

Asset Management Marketing ESG Marketing Event Management Sales Alignment Campaign Strategy

Interim Sales and Marketing Lead

HSBC Derivatives Clearing Services

Jan 2013 - Dec 2013 (11 months)

Merged marketing for listed futures and OTC clearing to create sales synergies and support commercial growth initiatives for cleared derivatives products.

Derivatives Marketing Product Positioning Go To Market Financial Markets Commercial Strategy

Head of Planning & Campaigns

RBS

Jan 2010 - Dec 2012 (2 years 11 months)

Planned global marketing activity for Markets & International Banking, optimised a £20m budget, managed agencies, and developed the 'Building Tomorrow' brand to replace the prior proposition.

Marketing Planning Campaign Management Agency Management Brand Development Global Marketing Financial Services Marketing

Head of Institutional Marketing

HSBC Global Asset Management

Jan 2008 - Dec 2010 (2 years 11 months)

Restructured a 12-person team to focus on asset gathering, launched an annual Sovereign Wealth Fund conference and sales training to improve results across Global Macro and Absolute Return strategies.

Institutional Sales Event Management Sales Training Fund Structuring

Global Head of Client Marketing

J.P. Morgan Chase

Jan 2004 - Dec 2008 (4 years 11 months)

Rebuilt marketing capabilities post-mergers, created a digital marketing platform aligned with growth businesses, and launched cross-selling programs that increased multi-product client adoption.

Digital Marketing Cross Selling Corporate Communications Program Management Market Research Stakeholder Management Product Marketing

Head of Americas Marketing

J.P. Morgan Chase

Jan 2001 - Dec 2004 (3 years 11 months)

Led Americas marketing for Investor Services (Custody), implemented client-focused sales initiatives and bespoke client satisfaction surveys to drive business and improve employee engagement.

Custody Marketing Client Satisfaction Surveys Sales Enablement Market Research Employee Engagement Financial Services Marketing

Head of US Marketing Cash Management

Deutsche Bank

Jan 2000 - Dec 2001 (1 year 11 months)

Developed the working capital business for large corporates, piloted Electronic Bill Presentment & Payment pilots with GE Capital and Sun Microsystems, and doubled press coverage in target publications.

Cash Management Working Capital Corporate Marketing Media Relations Strategic Partnerships B2B Marketing

VP, Branding & Communications

Chase Manhattan Bank

Jan 1999 - Dec 2000 (1 year 11 months)

Led branding and communications for Treasury Solutions to grow market share with corporates and financial institutions and managed syndicated research to improve service levels.

Branding Communication Market Research Treasury Marketing Corporate Communications

Senior Manager, Platinum Card

American Express

Jan 1996 - Dec 1999 (3 years 11 months)

Led campaigns to grow cardmember spend across travel, dining and luxury sectors, launched loyalty and destination marketing programs and established field marketing guidelines to support merchant acquisition.

Loyalty Programs Campaign Management Field Marketing Luxury Marketing Program Launches