‘The Business of Politics’ 

The Rt. Hon Baroness Virginia Bottomley DL

Virginia Bottomley, a social scientist, researched long term family poverty and income at the Child Poverty Action Group, writing regular articles for the Guardian newspaper.

With a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics she was Chairman of the Lambeth Juvenile Court at the time of the Brixton Riots. In 1984 she was perhaps the surprise choice as candidate for a critical bye-election, serving as MP happily for 21 years. Then there were just 23 women in the Commons.

Virginia served in the governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major, becoming the ninth woman to join the Cabinet. She was Secretary of State for Health and then Culture, Media and Sport. She was appointed a Life Peer in 2005.

She is recognised as a leading head-hunter and serves on the boards of BUPA and Akzo Nobel. She is a Trustee of the Economist Newspaper.

Virginia’s role as Chancellor of the University of Hull has been a priority for her since 2006 and earlier this year at the University’s Annual Court reappointed to serve a second term of 5 years.

Virginia will share insights into the intriguing and complex worlds of politics and the business world.