Carole was Master of St Cross College from September 2016 to September 2022. She was Chief Executive of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund from 2003-2016, overseeing the distribution of £400m a year to projects making a lasting difference to people and heritage across the UK. She began her career in the Civil Service and has worked in the Departments of Health, Social Security and the Cabinet Office.

Carole has always been active in the charitable sector and as well as being a Trustee of OPT, is currently a Trustee of Historic Royal Palaces; the Horniman Museum, and the London Emergencies Trust and Chairs the Sulgrave Manor Trust. She is also a Lay Canon of Salisbury Cathedral. She is an Honorary Fellow of Jesus and St Cross Colleges, Oxford, and was awarded the CBE in 2011 for services to conservation.