Veronica Sutherland

Dame Veronica Sutherland DBE CMG
President of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge
In office 2001–2008
Preceded by	Pauline Perry, Baroness Perry of Southwark
Succeeded by	Janet Todd OBE
Personal details
Born	Veronica Evelyn Beckett (1939-04-25) 25 April 1939 (age 85)

Dame Veronica Evelyn Sutherland, DBE, CMG (née Beckett; born 25 April 1939) is a former British career diplomat who served in the Diplomatic Service of the United Kingdom from 1965 until 1999, including a stint as Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland. After retirement, she was appointed President of the Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge from 2001 until 2008.[1]

Background

Born to Lt Col Maurice Beckett and Constance Cavenagh-Mainwaring, Sutherland spent more than thirty years in the Diplomatic Service in mainland Europe, Africa and Asia, serving as Ambassador in three countries in francophone West Africa as well as British delegate to UNESCO.[2]

After Sutherland's service in Ireland, she was appointed Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General with responsibility for economic and social affairs. She was the first woman to hold such a high ranking Commonwealth post. She took up her Commonwealth post in February 1999, succeeding Sir Humphrey Maud, KCMG, who was retiring.[3]

She was appointed CMG in the 1988 Birthday Honours[4] and DBE in the 1998 Birthday Honours.[5]

References

1. "Cambridge University Reporter". University of Cambridge. 2 October 2009. Archived from the original on 20 October 2009.
2. "Dame Veronica Sutherland former British Ambassador and current Principal of Lucy Cavendish College Cambridge - REFLECTIONS ON THE PEACE PROCESS AND ITS PARTICIPANTS". The Irish Association. Archived from the original on 8 July 2007.
3. "First woman Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Appointed". Commonwealth Secretariat. 8 October 1998. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
4. "No. 51365". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 June 1988. p. 4.
5. "No. 55155". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 June 1998. p. 24.

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by John Willson	British Ambassador to Ivory Coast 1987–1990	Succeeded by Margaret Rothwell
Preceded by Sir David Blatherwick	British Ambassador to Ireland 1995–1999	Succeeded by Sir Ivor Roberts
Academic offices
Preceded by Pauline Perry, Baroness Perry of Southwark	President of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge 2001–2008	Succeeded by Janet Todd OBE