
We are delighted to welcome Cathrin (Cat) Poppensieker to the Sylva team.
Cat will lead our new Woodworking and Gender Project, funded by The National Heritage Lottery Fund and other generous supporters. The project aims to address the significant gender imbalance in the heritage woodworking sector. The project envisions a transformed woodworking industry, driven by the creativity and innovation of women and non-binary individuals, revitalising endangered crafts while promoting sustainable practices.
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts (2014) and more than 12 years of project management experience across corporate, academic, and charity sectors, Cat specialises in delivering impactful projects for under-represented groups. Her work is devoted to social justice, community cohesion, and enhancing wellbeing.
Cat has a passion for furniture making and woodworking. She has developed a wide range of hands-on skills, while working as a workshop technician at a furniture school, where she supported students in honing their craftsmanship. As a hardwood specialist and machinist, she gained in-depth knowledge of timber properties and machining techniques. Additionally, her experience as a freelance carpenter has allowed her to navigate and overcome the unique challenges of being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated trade.
Speaking about her appointment, Cat commented:
Leading the ‘Woodworking and Gender’ project at Sylva is a dream come true! I’m really excited to collaborate with incredible female and non-binary makers, alongside educators and the furniture industry, to make woodworking/heritage craft more inclusive, innovative, and inspiring for future generations.

The Woodworking and Gender project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Conran Foundation, The Mila Charitable Trust, Benchmark Furniture Ltd, Vastern Timber Ltd. Thanks to these funding organisations and National Lottery players, we will ensure future generations of skilled and resilient women and non-binary woodworkers are able to support the woodworking heritage of this country for years to come.