You have worked and travelled all over the world, and football is often a universal language! Has your support for West Ham played a part in your career?
“I think football is a great leveller, wherever you go it’s a conversation starter. It doesn’t matter if you are in New York, Japan or Madrid - whether you are talking to taxi drivers, CEOs or Royalty - you’ve made a connection.”
You were made a DBE for public service and to the financial services industry. How important is it for you to see West Ham have so many women in senior positions on the Board and management of the Club?
“Throughout my life, I’ve come to realise how powerful it is to see people like yourself in all sorts of roles. It proves the point that anyone can do those jobs. Like financial services or the Lady Mayor of the City of London, football should be open to everyone.”
You have been a City of London Alderwoman since 2018, were Sheriff of the City of London in 2023/24 and become just the third woman to become Lord Mayor of the City of London and the first to style herself as Lady Mayor. What does London mean to you?
“I love London, it’s open to everyone. With a little luck and a lot of resilience my journey has taken me from the East End of London, to Chairing one of the UK’s largest insurance brokers (Gallagher), to being made a Dame, and now, Lady Mayor of the City of London.”