With a first degree in Engineering Science and a Masters in Energy Resources Management, Catrin started her working life in refrigeration engineering, but moved into energy efficiency in buildings because of fuel poverty. Catrin set up an energy advice service for London tenants in the 1980s, authoring handbooks on home heating advice, draught-proofing and recycling. She went on to work with numerous local authorities to develop energy efficiency aspects of housing renewal programmes, as well as affordable warmth and carbon emission reduction strategies.   

From 1999 to 2015, Catrin led the establishment and growth of the Severn Wye Energy Agency, a sustainability charity based in Gloucestershire, with a range of practical delivery and knowledge exchange projects and partnerships in Wales, South West England and the EU. Since 2015, Catrin has worked as an independent consultant on research and policy in the UK and EU, and completed a PhD focussing on the role of mainstream building trades in home energy retrofit  

Catrin is a member of the BSI Retrofit Standards Task Group, and the Energy Institute, a fellow of the RSA and an Associate Adviser with The Retrofit Academy and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. Catrin was awarded an OBE in 2012 for services to the environment and social equity.  Catrin now lives near Monmouth.