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.