Veronica Sutherland
Dame Veronica Evelyn Sutherland, DBE, CMG 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.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:
