Name Veronica Sutherland | ||
Dame Veronica Sutherland - working with the Commonwealth's economic and social programmes
Dame Veronica Evelyn Sutherland, DBE, CMG (née Beckett; born 25 April 1939) is a former British career diplomat who served in government from 1965 until 1999, including a stint as Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland. After retiring from HM Diplomatic Service, she was appointed President of the Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge from 2001 until 2008.
Contents
- Dame Veronica Sutherland working with the Commonwealths economic and social programmes
- Background
- References
Background
Born to Lt Col Maurice Beckett and Constance Cavenagh-Mainwaring, Sutherland was appointed Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General with responsibility for economic and social affairs. She was the first woman to hold this post and to serve the Commonwealth at such a high rank. She took up her Commonwealth post in February 1999, succeeding Sir Humphrey Maud, KCMG, who was retiring.
She said at the time:
During the course of my lifetime the Commonwealth has left behind its imperial past and grown into a mature and dynamic, modern organisation of 54 equal and sovereign nations. I am excited by the prospect of making an active contribution to the Commonwealth as an increasing force for good in the world.