Kathryn Parminter, Baroness Parminter
Encyclopedia
Kathryn Jane Parminter, Baroness Parminter of Godalming (born 24 June 1964) (also known as Kate) is a Liberal Democrat
life peer
in the House of Lords
of the United Kingdom. She was gazetted as Baroness Parminter of Godalming
in Surrey
and was introduced in the House on 19 July 2010 and, having supported animal rights causes, chose to wear robes of animal-free ermine. She made her maiden speech two days later in a debate on women in society.
She is an advisor to the ‘Every Child a Reader’ programme which tackles illiteracy in schools, a trustee of the IPPR think tank and is also a Patron of the Meath Epilepsy Trust.
, rising from public relations officer to become Head of Public Affairs. She also chaired the Campaign for the Protection of Hunted Animals, which helped to ban hunting, between 1997 and 1998. Before this, she was an account executive at Juliette Hellman PR, a parliamentary researcher for Simon Hughes
MP, and a graduate marketing trainee for The Nestlé Co Ltd.
between 1987 and 1995. In 2008 she was appointed by Nick Clegg
to work on the Party's Reform Commission, which was charged with outlining a route map for the Party's future. She is currently a member of the Party's Federal Executive Committee, which endorsed the proposal to join the coalition government with the Conservatives in May 2010, and also the Federal Finance and Administration Committee. She was offered the position three years before accepting but declined the offer as she wanted to look after her children.
. She studied Theology
at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford between 1983 and 1986. She lives in Godalming, Surrey with her husband Neil Sherlock, a public affairs partner at KPMG, and two school age daughters.
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
of the United Kingdom. She was gazetted as Baroness Parminter of Godalming
Godalming
Godalming is a town and civil parish in the Waverley district of the county of Surrey, England, south of Guildford. It is built on the banks of the River Wey and is a prosperous part of the London commuter belt. Godalming shares a three-way twinning arrangement with the towns of Joigny in France...
in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
and was introduced in the House on 19 July 2010 and, having supported animal rights causes, chose to wear robes of animal-free ermine. She made her maiden speech two days later in a debate on women in society.
She is an advisor to the ‘Every Child a Reader’ programme which tackles illiteracy in schools, a trustee of the IPPR think tank and is also a Patron of the Meath Epilepsy Trust.
Professional career
Prior to her elevation,Baroness Parminter worked as a freelance consultant advising charities and companies (including Lloyd’s, the City of London Corporation, Mencap & Age Concern) on charity issues, campaigning and corporate social responsibility. From 1998 to 2004 she was the Chief Executive of the conservation charity the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Between 1990 and 1998 she worked for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsRoyal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a charity in England and Wales that promotes animal welfare. In 2009 the RSPCA investigated 141,280 cruelty complaints and collected and rescued 135,293 animals...
, rising from public relations officer to become Head of Public Affairs. She also chaired the Campaign for the Protection of Hunted Animals, which helped to ban hunting, between 1997 and 1998. Before this, she was an account executive at Juliette Hellman PR, a parliamentary researcher for Simon Hughes
Simon Hughes
Simon Henry Ward Hughes is a British politician and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats. He is Member of Parliament for the constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark. Until 2008 he was President of the Liberal Democrats...
MP, and a graduate marketing trainee for The Nestlé Co Ltd.
Political career
Baroness Parminter was a Liberal Democrat councillor on Horsham District Council in West SussexWest Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
between 1987 and 1995. In 2008 she was appointed by Nick Clegg
Nick Clegg
Nicholas William Peter "Nick" Clegg is a British Liberal Democrat politician who is currently the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord President of the Council and Minister for Constitutional and Political Reform in the coalition government of which David Cameron is the Prime Minister...
to work on the Party's Reform Commission, which was charged with outlining a route map for the Party's future. She is currently a member of the Party's Federal Executive Committee, which endorsed the proposal to join the coalition government with the Conservatives in May 2010, and also the Federal Finance and Administration Committee. She was offered the position three years before accepting but declined the offer as she wanted to look after her children.
Personal life
Baroness Parminter grew up in West Sussex and was educated at state schools in HorshamHorsham
Horsham is a market town with a population of 55,657 on the upper reaches of the River Arun in the centre of the Weald, West Sussex, in the historic County of Sussex, England. The town is south south-west of London, north-west of Brighton and north-east of the county town of Chichester...
. She studied Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford between 1983 and 1986. She lives in Godalming, Surrey with her husband Neil Sherlock, a public affairs partner at KPMG, and two school age daughters.