Denise Holt
Encyclopedia
Dame Denise Mary Holt, DCMG
(born 1 October 1949 in Vienna, Austria), née Denise Mary Mills, was British Ambassador to Mexico (2002-5) and Spain and Andorra (2007- 2009). In 2011 she joined the Board of HSBC Bank plc as a Non-Executive Director. She is a Board member of Ofqual
(the examinations regulator in England), a member of the NHS Pay Review Body, Independent Chair of Standards with the South Downs National Park Authority (all 2010- present ) and a member of the nominations committee of the Alzheimer's Society
. She is Chair of Trustees of the Anglo-Spanish Society, a member of the Management Council of the Canada Blanch Centre for Contemporary Spanish Studies at the LSE
, and Robin Humphrey Fellow at the School of American Studies at the University of London
.
Denise Holt grew up in Russia, Japan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Iran and Bulgaria. She was educated at New Hall School
, Chelmsford
, and Bristol University.
She joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
in 1970 as Research Analyst for Spain and Portugal. Overseas postings included Ireland in 1984 where she was First Secretary of the British Embassy in Dublin, followed by a spell as Head of the Central American Section at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (1988-1990). She also served as First Secretary of the British Embassy in Brazil (1991-1993). She was Deputy Head of Eastern Department, responsible for relations with newly independent countries of Central Asia and the Trans Caucasus. In London she was Director of Human Resources in the FCO (1999–2001) and later, Director for Migration and for the Overseas Territories (2005–2007).
Denise married David Holt in 1987. They have one son.
Already a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
(CMG), Holt was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG) in the 2009 Birthday Honours.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(born 1 October 1949 in Vienna, Austria), née Denise Mary Mills, was British Ambassador to Mexico (2002-5) and Spain and Andorra (2007- 2009). In 2011 she joined the Board of HSBC Bank plc as a Non-Executive Director. She is a Board member of Ofqual
Ofqual
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation is a non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.-Role:...
(the examinations regulator in England), a member of the NHS Pay Review Body, Independent Chair of Standards with the South Downs National Park Authority (all 2010- present ) and a member of the nominations committee of the Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer’s Society is a United Kingdom care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.It is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
. She is Chair of Trustees of the Anglo-Spanish Society, a member of the Management Council of the Canada Blanch Centre for Contemporary Spanish Studies at the LSE
LSE
LSE may refer to:* London School of Economics and Political Science, a specialist school of the University of London* London Stock Exchange or its owner group London Stock Exchange Group...
, and Robin Humphrey Fellow at the School of American Studies at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
.
Denise Holt grew up in Russia, Japan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Iran and Bulgaria. She was educated at New Hall School
New Hall School
New Hall is one of the oldest Catholic schools in England. It is located in the former Tudor Palace of Beaulieu in Essex.Today New Hall is a leading Catholic independent boarding & day school for boys and girls aged 3–18. Founded in 1642, New Hall School, Chelmsford, is the oldest Catholic school...
, Chelmsford
Chelmsford
Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. It is located in the London commuter belt, approximately northeast of Charing Cross, London, and approximately the same distance from the once provincial Roman capital at Colchester...
, and Bristol University.
She joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO is a British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas, created in 1968 by merging the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office.The head of the FCO is the...
in 1970 as Research Analyst for Spain and Portugal. Overseas postings included Ireland in 1984 where she was First Secretary of the British Embassy in Dublin, followed by a spell as Head of the Central American Section at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (1988-1990). She also served as First Secretary of the British Embassy in Brazil (1991-1993). She was Deputy Head of Eastern Department, responsible for relations with newly independent countries of Central Asia and the Trans Caucasus. In London she was Director of Human Resources in the FCO (1999–2001) and later, Director for Migration and for the Overseas Territories (2005–2007).
Denise married David Holt in 1987. They have one son.
Already a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(CMG), Holt was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG) in the 2009 Birthday Honours.