In Loving Memory of

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Sarah Waller

We shared the tragic news that our beloved colleague, Sarah Waller, tragically passed away on Sunday 16th April in Bedfordshire. 

Sarah spent much of her career in academia, with roles covering the arts (a real passion of Sarah’s), engagement, and research. She joined us from the Open University in 2019, taking up a post as a Bid Manager, and was promoted last year to Senior Bid Manager. In her time working for us, Sarah’s expert knowledge of a wide range of funding bodies was used to brilliant effect to manage the successful delivery of a large number of impactful bids and proposals. She was motivated to make a difference in people’s lives and proactively supported her colleagues to maximise the potential impact of our work. Many of her bids and proposals have become projects that are changing how we all live for the better, through unlocking innovations in mobility and cities in the UK and around the world.    

Sarah’s superpower was her ability to engage with absolutely everyone. Bids can be challenging at times, as deadlines loom and people bring differing views on the best way forward. Sarah took every situation in her stride, demonstrating a gift for drawing people in and deftly keeping everyone on track.

Almost all of us at Connected Places Catapult have worked with Sarah, and we truly loved our interactions with her. She brought to every conversation humour, warmth and a keen interest in hearing about our lives. Time spent with Sarah was invariably uplifting. We miss her deeply.

We would like to share our deepest condolences with Sarah’s family and friends.

We have now opened an online Book of Remembrance so that we can capture messages and share stories about our wonderful colleague to celebrate her life, work and fun at the Catapult. The book will be printed and shared with Sarah’s family. 

Book Owner: Connected Places Catapult
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Shani Souter

Dear Sarah,  We’ve not spoken for some years, probably 12. We were quite close when we worked together in the noughties and you lived in Luton; you were the first person I’d drive to for a Friday night or when a relationship went wrong. We spent time with your friends in Sheffield and went …

Isaac Sserwanja

You don’t have to have worked with Sarah to appreciate her. She was that approachable and likable. Her sense of humour, attitude and wide-ranging life experience made her a delightful lunch conversationalist in Milton Keynes. Always with time to help. To talk. To crack jokes – actually, it was almost always because we had …

Marie Alenas

Dear Sarah, I only had the pleasure of having you in my life for three months, but in this short time you made a huge impact on me. I loved our conversations about work and life and I always left them with a smile on my face. Your energy, drive and thirst for life …

Luciano Falco

Sarah, still cannot believe you are not here with us. That you would often regale us of stories of being on the River Ouse makes it all the more incomprehensible. Genuine, self-deprecating, a lover of life, trusted confidante, perennial winner of the Bid Team’s Culture League, dedicated (perhaps even to a fault, dare i …

Patrizia Franco

I met Sarah when she joined CPC. We had in common a career in academia before joining the Catapult and we bonded instantly when we met in the Milton Keynes office. I am lucky to have had the privilege to work alongside Sarah in many CRD bids. I am grateful for her support. She …

Sarah Gale

Darling Sarah, I am really sad to write this and it has taken a long time to be able to put pen to paper, maybe because I still can’t fully comprehend and digest what has happened. I miss you so very much. From the day I was introduced to you, I knew you would …

Phil Moorcroft

Dear Sarah,   You always used to joke that you weren’t allowed to speak to me because I was too busy….but I always looked forward to talking with you. You always made working on bids together so much fun. I won’t forget the fun and laughs we had on the Route Aware bid, despite …

Jack Bebbington

Sarah, I still cannot believe you have been taken from this world so soon. It only feels like yesterday we were talking about plans for the year and comparing holiday stories, little did I know that would be our last interaction. The sadness felt by the entire business really speaks volumes as to the …

Caitlin Adams

Sarah was the kind of colleague who always made everyone feel more cheerful on a grumpy morning: she’d see the funny side and make the whole office laugh. She carried a huge amount of experience and knowledge but always brought it to bear gently without making anyone else feel insecure. I only worked with …

Charlotte Brunt

Dear Sarah, you were a joy to be around.  Your boundless energy and fun filled stories brought our office alive.  You greeted us each morning with a smile ana a feeling of such love and frivolity, which was so infectious.  I so much enjoyed our lunchtime walks and hiring bikes to explore.  Thanks to …