Intelligence & Leadership

We opened our doors to alumnae from all 26 GDST schools to host an evening with Baroness Manningham-Buller.

A former pupil from Northampton High School GDST, Baroness Manningham-Buller spent over 33 years in the intelligence service, rising to become Director General of MI5, leading Britain’s Security Service at a time of extraordinary challenge. Since then, she has continued her distinguished career as a crossbench peer in the House of Lords, and as Chair of the Wellcome Trust.

On the evening, the Baroness shared her observations about what she has learned from her career, talking about her leadership style, working under pressure, navigating uncertainty and ambiguity, and remaining resilient. She encouraged us to be our own role models and to remember to be kind.

She follows in the footsteps of another former South Hamstead Speaker Series guest, the late Dame Stella Rimington – an alumna from Nottingham Girls’ High School GDST,  who was the first woman to lead MI5. As the Chief Executive of the GDST,  Cheryl Giovannoni observed in her closing address:

That the first two women entrusted as heads of M15 both came from GDST schools is no coincidence – it is a mark of the confidence, courage and leadership fostered within our family of schools.

The evening, which was organised by the GDST, brought together generations of women from across the alumnae community and was full of lively conversation. For our next South Hampstead Speaker Series event we will be welcoming Dame Imelda Staunton, Jim Carter OBE and Bessie Carter as our guests. For further information and to book tickets please visit the Mehr Licht community page.