I worked in the City for 15 years, first as a commodities broker and later in commodity financing. I then started my own consultancy company, dealing in metals and later in property. I’m a Liveryman of the Glaziers Company, and received the Freedom of the City in 2019.
A former trustee of the Islington Chinese Association, I am involved with the Cambridge Music Festival as a patron. I produce the successful concert evenings held at the Club by the Kettner Society, a charity which also hosts monthly lunchtime talks there, and it is my great honour to serve on the Members Council. I look forward to working together with all our members to make the NLC the best club in London. (Yisha joined the Club in 2018 and was elected to what is now the Members’ Council in 2019).
I am a retired circuit judge and a life-long Liberal – resigning my LibDem membership while a serving judge. A Club member in the 1970s, I re-joined post-retirement, and was delighted to find it revitalised. I chaired the working group which successfully recommended reforms to modernise the Club’s dress code in 2019, and sit on the Membership Committee.
A Devonian by birth, I have lived in London since reading law at University College, where I was President of the Debating Society and Best Individual Speaker, Observer Mace 1965. Married Rosemary in 1972 – we have a son and daughter. At the Bar, I specialised latterly in clinical negligence and personal injuries.
Contested Esher in Oct. 1974 and 1979, Putney in 1983. Outside politics and the law, interests include theatre, opera, biography and jazz as well as good food, wine and company. (Charles re-joined the Club in 2015 and was elected to what is now the Members Council in 2016)
Originally from Sussex, I finished my education at the Lycée Français de Londres and became a secretary working initially in PR, then for the BBC and for CBS. Moving to Worcestershire with my family, I became a councillor and eventually the WRVS County Organiser… running ‘Meals on Wheels’ for the whole of Hereford & Worcester.
I helped initiate a victim support scheme which was adopted nationally. After my husband died, I qualified as a probation officer, and became a councillor for Barnes — helping create a 100 acre Wetlands with advice from Sir Peter Scott. In the NLC, I chaired the General Purposes Committee, launching the first Chinese New Year celebration and then Diwali. I now chair the Wednesday Lunch Circle. (Angela joined the Club in 2000)
I now chair the Club’s Beer, Wines & Spirits Committee, and the Women’s Network. The popular Tuesday and Thursday Tables are something I co-host: these provide an opportunity for members, new and old, to meet together, get to know new people and enjoy the comforts of the Bar and Dining Room just as much or as little as they please.
My work is as an employment rights adviser for a trade union and, in such spare time as I have, I enjoy reading (mainly novels) and knitting. (Val joined the Club in 2008 and was elected to what is now the Members’ Council in 2019.)
Hello, I’m a freelance political journalist, lecturer and copy editor, based in Cardiff and London, writing occasionally for Parliament’s own magazine, The House, among others. The son of a Devon farmer and Welsh nurse, I trained as a teacher after university before entering journalism in Cardiff, moving later to Westminster via Brussels and Strasbourg.
After 25 eventful years as a BBC Political and then Parliamentary Correspondent, I became a very mature MA student at King’s College London – decades after my 1st degree. I also rejoined the Club and was part of the working group that successfully recommended liberalising the dress code, though there is still more to do. I now sit on the Membership Cttee.
Outside work, I have long enjoyed acting and producing – latterly with Tower Theatre in London and my own company, Moonlight Theatre, which toured Under Milk Wood to Malta in 2019. I am also a charity trustee for Homeopathy UK. (Robert joined the Club in 1984 and 2013 and was elected to what is now the Members’ Council in 2018).
I chair the Club’s Political & Economic Circle and am a member of several others. I have been involved in many community and business start-ups since the 1980s, and have had a diverse professional career as one of the youngest CEOs to lead a housing association, and as Executive Director of the homeless charity, Centrepoint.
Elected a councillor in 1994, I worked as a civil servant in the PM’s Strategy Unit on formulating national policy under Tony Blair and the Tory-Lib Dem Coalition. I have also held posts at both Capita and PwC. I chaired the national commemoration, based at the House of Lords, of those from the British ‘Empire’ who fought in both World Wars.
I am a passionate foodie, and a big fan of the Italian home-sourced olive oil now available in our Clubhouse! (Inderjeet joined the Club in 2017 and was elected to Members Council in 2020)
Served as the Club’s Librarian and its Archivist, and also sat on the Wine Committee for many years. After joining the Liberal party in 1958, I held various party positions and was elected to Leeds City Council in the first Liberal success in the city for 30 years.
Was elected as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Leeds West from 1983 – 1987, and is an Honorary Alderman of the City of Leeds. Over some 25 years, I have led or been a member of more than 50 electoral assistance missions – providing advice and practical assistance to 35 new and emerging democracies on four continents.
In recent years, my traditional jazz band has provided the music for the Club’s summer party. I write and lecture on Leeds political history – and contribute articles and obituaries for the Club magazine. (Michael joined the Club in 1962 and rejoined in 1983)
I have been Lead Officer (Pensions) at the largest education union in the UK, the National Education Union, and formerly at the National Union of Teachers, since 2007.
Before this, I was senior and then principal researcher at Which? magazine for six years, specialising in articles on pensions and investments. This followed on from my Ph.D. at the London School of Economics on UK pension policy.
At the Club, I now chair the Beer, Wines and Spirits Committee, am a member of the Chess Circle and a regular attendee at Tuesday and Thursday Table. (Nick joined the Club in 2009 and was elected to what is now the Members’ Council in 2014)
I joined the Club as a political member in 2017, having been a regular visitor for more than 12 years. In 2018, I founded the Club’s LGBTQ+ Forum with a dedicated committee and represent an essential part of NLC’s motto of being London’s most “inclusive” and “diverse” club.
I moved up from Vice-Chair of the Club’s Membership Committee to become Chair in January 2023 on Karin Rehacek’s appointment as Chair of the Club following the resignation of Tim McNally, and stepped back from the Chair in May this year.
Currently, I work for a not-for-profit organisation, The Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (ENEI), as their Global Relationship Manager. In 2015 I stood, as the first openly HIV+ parliamentary candidate in Vauxhall, and then in Ipswich at the 2017 & 2019 elections.
Previously, I have chaired LGBT+ Liberal Democrats and, since 2018, I’ve chaired Liberal International British Group, part of Liberal International – which is also based at the Club. (Adrian joined the Club in 2017 and was elected to what is now the Members’ Council in 2020.)
I joined the Liberal Party in 1974 and the Club in the 1990s. I was first elected to what is now the Members’ Council in 2000 and served as Club Chair and then Chair of National Liberal Club Ltd.
Ordained in 1992, my clerical posts included chaplaincies at Mill Hill School and Emanuel School, and I also served as a Priest-in-Ordinary to HM the Queen, taking services at the Chapels Royal. I was recently coaxed out of retirement to become priest-in-charge of Hastings Old Town. (Paul joined the Club in 1992 and was Chair between 2007 – 2010)
