After a degree from the LSE and a Masters in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard, I lived in Iran and Egypt working on an English language newspaper and teaching English. The years from 1974 to 1983 were spent in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where I went with my husband, Russell, who is also a Club member. Back in London I worked at Citibank till early retirement more than 20 years ago.
Many months of the year were then spent at an old farmhouse shared with family members in the Drome region of southern France, now sold… which leaves more time for London pursuits including concert and theatre outings. I also became involved in campaigning locally for the Liberal Democrats, serving until recently on the Kensington and Chelsea local party’s Executive Committee.
We have two sons and three beautiful grand-daughters, and Russell and I still walk regularly on pilgrim paths across Europe, well-known as Caminos. (Sheila joined the Club in 2017 and was elected to the Members’ Council in 2023.)
I am a consultant paediatrician at Great Ormond Street and have been a life-long Liberal Democrat, including a spell as sub editor of the Liberal Democrat Youth and Student magazine while at university. Before I entered medicine I had a brief career as a wine merchant in Cambridge.
My time during the Covid pandemic has been split between developing distance-teaching methods for medical students and volunteering as a vaccinator in my local community of Wanstead and Woodford. I am keen to use this experience to improve the ability of members to access club events and committees from a distance.
I have particular interests in theatre, food and drink and have been elected Vice-Chair of the Club’s Beer, Wine and Spirits Committee, and as a member of the Events and Activities Committee. I’m delighted to now have the chance to contribute to sustaining the Club’s incredible current momentum. (Keir joined the Club in 2019 and was elected to what is now the Members’ Council in 2021)
As well as joining the Club’s Members Council, I am a member of the Marketing and Communications Committee, the Not-So-Younger Members’ Group, Shooting Club, the German Circle, Defence and Security Circle, and the European and Commonwealth Forum.
My work as a Risk, Compliance and Resilience Consultant is to help companies approach their risk and compliance management in a structured, strategic way. (Dennis joined the Club in 2018 and was elected to what is now the Members’ Council in 2020).
I enjoy political discussion, networking and fine dining – all on offer at our Club, which I came to join thanks to meeting an NLC member at a networking event.
Such events and opportunities to network – to meet and develop contacts – are a major focus both at the Club and also at Westminster Business Council, where I am CEO. There we provide connections and intelligence to help London businesses
grow, and introduce employers and students for career opportunities. In 2019 we ran our inaugural Business Awards Ceremony at the Club, where I also chair the Business Forum.
My career has involved influencing government policy and pioneering innovative projects in deprived areas. I led the development of the national Prince’s Trust Team programme to help unemployed young people build their confidence and find work. (Elizabeth joined the Club in 2016 and was elected to what is now the Members’ Council in in 2018)
Birmingham-born, I’m a committed European now living in Berlin and working with my husband, Michael, as a freelance translator to the music business. A General Committee member from 2007 – 2019, I also served on the General Purposes and Membership Committees, and initiated the Literary and German Circles. I introduced the first German reciprocal clubs, supported participation in “Open House weekend”, hosted LibDem receptions at the Club, and championed many recently-established NLC Forums.
I was a prison visitor, Witness Service volunteer – supporting witnesses at court, and a charity worker in Canterbury. I was active in LibDem politics – first in Canterbury from 2000, then in Bromley until 2018 – and am now an active member of the (reciprocal) International Club, Berlin. My interests: music, literature, handcrafts, swimming. (Janet joined the Club in 2004 and was Chair between 2016–2018; she is now a Vice-President and an elected, voting Council member).
