Mary Francis
Encyclopedia
Mary Francis, CBE
LVO
, is senior independent director on the Board of Centrica plc (which she joined in 2004) and a non-executive director of Aviva Plc and of Cable & Wireless Communications
. She formerly held senior positions in the City of London
, HM Treasury
and the Royal Household.
She was Deputy Private Secretary
to Queen Elizabeth II
February–June 1999, having been Assistant Private Secretary 1996-99.http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article587705.ecehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2004/oct/01/4
She was educated at James Allen's Girls' School
, Dulwich
, London
, and Newnham College, University of Cambridge
, where she obtained an MA. She joined HM Treasury and became a senior civil servant, holding the posts of Financial Counsellor at the British Embassy in Washington, DC 1990-92, and Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
(Domestic and Economic) 1992-95.
She was Director-General of the Association of British Insurers 1999-2005 and a member of the Court of the Bank of England 2001-2007.
She holds a number of pro bono appointments, including Chairman of the Board of Governors of James Allen's Girls' School, Treasurer of the Almeida Theatre
, a senior advisor to Chatham House
and a trustee of the Wincott Foundation.
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
LVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, is senior independent director on the Board of Centrica plc (which she joined in 2004) and a non-executive director of Aviva Plc and of Cable & Wireless Communications
Cable & Wireless Communications
Cable & Wireless plc demerged in 2010 into Cable & Wireless Communications and Cable & Wireless Worldwide. For the other former C&W plc business, see Cable & Wireless Worldwide...
. She formerly held senior positions in the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
, HM Treasury
HM Treasury
HM Treasury, in full Her Majesty's Treasury, informally The Treasury, is the United Kingdom government department responsible for developing and executing the British government's public finance policy and economic policy...
and the Royal Household.
She was Deputy Private Secretary
Private Secretary to the Sovereign
The Private Secretary to the Sovereign is the senior operational member of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, as distinct from the Great Officers of the Household. The Private Secretary is the principal channel of communication with Her Majesty's Government and the...
to Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
February–June 1999, having been Assistant Private Secretary 1996-99.http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article587705.ecehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2004/oct/01/4
She was educated at James Allen's Girls' School
James Allen's Girls' School
James Allen's Girls' School, or JAGS, is an independent day school situated in Dulwich, South London, England. It has a senior school for 11–18 year old girls, a prep school for 7–11 year old girls , and a pre-preparatory school — JAPPS — for 4–7 year old girls.-Jags History:The school is part of...
, Dulwich
Dulwich
Dulwich is an area of South London, England. The settlement is mostly in the London Borough of Southwark with parts in the London Borough of Lambeth...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and Newnham College, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, where she obtained an MA. She joined HM Treasury and became a senior civil servant, holding the posts of Financial Counsellor at the British Embassy in Washington, DC 1990-92, and Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
(Domestic and Economic) 1992-95.
She was Director-General of the Association of British Insurers 1999-2005 and a member of the Court of the Bank of England 2001-2007.
She holds a number of pro bono appointments, including Chairman of the Board of Governors of James Allen's Girls' School, Treasurer of the Almeida Theatre
Almeida Theatre
The Almeida Theatre, opened in 1980, is a 325 seat studio theatre with an international reputation which takes its name from the street in which it is located, off Upper Street, in the London Borough of Islington. The theatre produces a diverse range of drama and holds an annual summer festival of...
, a senior advisor to Chatham House
Chatham House
Chatham House, formally known as The Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in London whose mission is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs. It is regarded as one of the world's leading...
and a trustee of the Wincott Foundation.
See also
- Private Secretary to the SovereignPrivate Secretary to the SovereignThe Private Secretary to the Sovereign is the senior operational member of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, as distinct from the Great Officers of the Household. The Private Secretary is the principal channel of communication with Her Majesty's Government and the...
.