A leadership transition at Happy: Welcoming Cathy Busani as CEO

Meet Cathy Busani, Happy's new CEO

For three decades, Cathy has been at the forefront of building and fostering the unique culture that defines Happy. From prioritising employee well-being to championing self-managing teams, Cathy has always practised what she preaches. This attitude led her from starting as an IT trainer to being voted manager of the training team in just six months – and then to become Managing Director shortly after.

Here’s what Cathy had to say about stepping into the role:

"I feel very privileged to have worked at Happy for 30 years, and I’m incredibly thankful for Henry and the team’s faith and trust in me. With our shift to an Employee Ownership Trust model earlier this year, it feels like an exciting future for the business. My plan is to build on what already works so joyfully here and take it to another level—working with our amazing team to keep what makes Happy, Happy."

One of Cathy’s first acts as CEO truly reflects her leadership style. She is meeting each member of the team one-to-one to ask what they need, what they hope for and what they expect from her as a leader.

It’s a powerful reminder that exceptional leadership starts with listening. It’s also a testament to Cathy’s deep commitment to empowerment, collaboration and shared decision-making.

Henry Stewart's legacy

Henry’s innovative leadership has defined Happy since its inception. From starting as a simple idea to make IT learning enjoyable to being celebrated as one of the UK’s top workplaces, Henry has always pushed boundaries.

His philosophy outlined in his book, The Happy Manifesto, has been our guiding principle. It is the foundation of our award-winning culture, as well as everything we do for our clients. It has inspired thousands of leaders create happy workplaces based on trust and empowerment.

But this isn’t a farewell. Henry will still dedicate three days per week to Happy, contributing his enthusiasm, creativity and mentorship as we move forward.

Reflecting on this milestone, Henry says:

"I’m so proud of what we’ve built together over nearly four decades. But I’m even more excited about what comes next, with Cathy at the helm and a company of brilliant, empowered people continuing to do what we do best. Here's to the next chapter!"

What the Happy team says

Cathy’s appointment has been met with overwhelming support and excitement from the Happy team.

"Cathy understands Happy's culture and values. Frankly, it's a no-brainer! She is a natural fit for CEO." ~ Sal

"I think Cathy is such a brilliant choice for CEO, and it feels like a natural step from her current role as MD. She's been such a big part of shaping Happy's culture and really lives the values. I think she brings a great mix of strategic thinking, thoughtful decision-making and genuine care for all of us. I'm very excited for her, and for us!" ~ Simone

"Cathy is an inspiring leader and is key to our culture and success. She is the natural choice!" ~ Claire

The future of Happy

With Cathy as CEO, Happy’s ethos remains unchanged. We will continue creating joy at work, fostering workplaces where people thrive, and driving meaningful change through leadership consultancy and workplace development. Our transition to an Employee Ownership Trust earlier this year is a pivotal step towards ensuring that Happy remains a values-driven organisation.

To our clients, community, and friends of Happy, thank you for your continued support. We couldn’t be more thrilled for this next phase with Cathy leading the way.

Here’s to the future of creating joy at work, underpinned by the same values that have always set Happy apart.

Together, we’ll continue inspiring organisations and unleashing possibilities within teams.