Catherine Roe holds an MA (in Natural Sciences) from Oxford University and a post graduate qualification from Cambridge University. Her early career was at the Ladbroke Group and Hilton International where she performed various roles in finance and supply chain. She was appointed Head of Purchasing in the UK board of Gardner Merchant Sodexo in 1996.

In 2005 she was Chairman of the Sodexo European Purchasing committee and member of the Continental Executive Committee. She joined Elior in 2006 and took on several roles including Managing Director of the Concessions division. She took on the role of CEO in 2014 and joined the Group Elior Executive Committee in October 2019. In addition she is the Chair of the Women of the Year organisation which was formed in 1955 and is well known in the UK as it recognises the achievements of women from all walks of life.