As the managing director of BusinessLodge Stoke, Kate Holt oversaw the purchase and transformation of a former Npower building into high-spec serviced offices with an on-site gym.

The Staffordshire University Sports and Leisure Management alumna previously established four similar developments in Bury, Lancashire, but had never forgotten her student days in Stoke-on-Trent and saw the opportunity to do something similar in the city.

In 2019 Kate headed up the project to convert Trent House in Stoke-on-Trent and is responsible for building a professional, friendly team who aim to go the extra mile for their clients at the Stoke-on-Trent and Bury sites.

BusinessLodge Stoke had a 100% occupancy rate for most of 2024 and recently bought Heron House in Heron Cross, due to open in August 2025, to accommodate more businesses.

Kate negotiated the purchase, developed the plans and layout of the space, initiated the tender process and awarded the contract for the work. She is an advocate of using local businesses and the builders and suppliers all come from the surrounding area.

Last year Kate also opened BusinessLodge Widnes after with a full refurbishment of a building with all the amenities and services of the other BusinessLodge sites.

She is committed to working towards to net zero including through zero to landfill, insulation, eco electricity, lighting sensors and EV chargers.

Within each centre Kate and her team ensure their clients are fully supported and each treated according to their bespoke needs as they grow, take on flexible working, move to larger accommodation or downsize. They range from freelancers to an international gym equipment supply business.

The team organise social events, networking sessions and charity fundraisers for businesses based at the offices such as Nespresso pop-ups, Beautiful Bakes, Six Towns Gin and La Piccola Pizza.

BusinessLodge Stoke sponsors local events and teams including Stoke Pride, which was particularly important to Kate as a gay MD. The business sponsors five Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce events per year, Stone Food and Drink Festival, a local female footballer from Leek Town FC and the Powerchair soccer player and Your Heroes Awards winner Dylan Kelsall.

Kate Holt has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.