Veronica Sutherland
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.
| 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 25 April 1939 | 
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.
External links
    
- Profile at admin.cam.ac.uk via archive.org; accessed 3 April 2016.
- "Mystery of Aer Lingus Flight 712". Webcitation.org. Archived from the original on 25 October 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
- Profile at thecommonwealth.org via archive.org; accessed 3 April 2016.
- Profile at irish-association.org via archive.org; accessed 3 April 2016.