Catherine Elisabeth Mudford Biography
Catherine Elisabeth Mudford was born 30 December 1961 in Barry Maternity Hospital, 2 Woodlands Road, Barry, South Glamorgan, South Wales. She was born at 11.55pm after at least 12 hours of labour. Her birth was registered by Mona Evans (Mother) on 3 January 1962 in Barry. She was baptised on 15 April 1962 at All Saints Church, Barry by JA Jeffrys Jones. The godparents were Jean Rees, Rita Evans, Gordon Mudford. She was confirmed on 7 November 1973 at All Saints’ Church, Barry.
She lived at 119 Pontypridd Road, Barry South Glamorgan, with her parents and paternal grandmother until 1978 when she moved to 11 Romilly Avenue, Barry. This move followed compulsory purchase attempts by the Welsh Development Agency for a housing development in the fields behind the house on Pontypridd Road. 119 Pontypridd Road has subsequently been demolished and been replaced by an access road to a new housing estate.
Educated in Barry at Romilly Infants and Junior Schools (1965 - 1973) followed by Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School for Girls (Ysgol Gyfun Bryn Hafren y Merched) (1973 - 1980), where she was one of the first year in the newly opened comprehensive school. Achieved 9 O levels, ( Grade A Music, English Language, English Literature, Maths, Physics; Grade B French, History, Biology; Grade C Chemistry), 3 A levels (Grade B Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and 1 S level (Distinction Biology). Was a member of the elected 6th form council for two years.
Played hockey for the school & county schoolgirl sides; captaining the 2nd team of the latter once she had been prescribed glasses/contact lenses. Played as utility defender: best positions were sweeper and centre half in 4.2.3.1 formation. Also sang alto in school choir and county youth choir (founder member). Played flute in school orchestras.
Read for upper second BSc (Honours) in Marine Biology at University of Liverpool (1980 - 1983), spending one year in Lady Mountford Hall (G Block), Carnatic Site, Mossley Hill Liverpool, one year in 68 Dean Road, Edge Hill, Liverpool and one year in Port Erin, Isle of Man. Played hockey for the University second team for two years, the second of which was as captain, thus qualifying for half colours. Was an active participant in Liverpool University rag week in all 3 years. During Panto in the 1st year, was part of 14-person team who pushed a hospital bed from Birmingham to Liverpool. During 2nd year, toured a Chinese dragon around the NW. During 3rd year, built giant limpet for inclusion in Panto procession. Qualified as a sports diver during the year on the Isle of Man by taking part in a large number of work dives for postgraduate student work. Did research thesis on the growth rates of the oyster Crassostrea Gigas in upwelling systems in an old outdoor swimming pool that doubled as a lobster farm.
Qualified as ICAEW chartered accountant with Touche Ross in Liverpool (1983 - 1987) whilst living in 5 Brookside, West Derby, Liverpool (the residential area just outside the TV set for Brookside Soap on Channel 4.) Provided cabaret act for two years at the Xmas Dinner dance (held in April!).
After qualifying, spent 18 months doing 72,000 air miles and a round the world trip as the Assistant European and Far East Internal Audit Manager for an American multi-national Fortune 500 company, Cabot Corporation, based in Boston but with other audit offices in Houston Texas and Macclesfield Cheshire. Visited Hanau NR Frankfurt, Ciervana NR Bilbao, Botlek NR Rotterdam, Herstal NR Liege, Berre L'Etang NR Marseilles, Port Jerome NR Le Havre, Ravenna, and Rheinfelden. Then spent 18 months establishing an internal audit department for a division of a UK multi-national PLC, Courtaulds Textiles. Later, spent 2 years as Financial Controller for a fabric printing company Barracks Fabrics in Macclesfield.
Last non self employment was for an ICI subsidiary, Eutech Engineering Solutions Ltd. Having just been an integral part of the implementation team responsible for the replacement of the Business Management System, she was the Business System Manager in the Knowledge Management and Business Systems Group.
Together with two colleagues has formed a company, Empiria Ltd, of which she is a director and company secretary. It started commercial business on March 1st 2001 and provides business systems consultancy services. It has customers in the UK and Canada.
Sings Tenor with her great love, The Liverpool Welsh Choral Union although currently living in 15 Anson Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, England. Other interests include music of all persuasions, except country and western, cross-stitch embroidery and sport (especially Rugby Union). Recently produced her own website at www.cathmudford.com.