Baroness Catherine Ashton

Baroness Catherine Ashton is a distinguished diplomat who served as the first High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and First Vice President of the European Commission. During her tenure, she established the European External Action Service, managing 140 diplomatic missions and various military operations, including successful anti-piracy initiatives. Her work brokering the historic agreement to normalise relations between Serbia and Kosovo earned her a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Since 2017, she has also served as the Chancellor of the University of Warwick, marking the first time a woman has held the position at the institution. Throughout her career, the Baroness has navigated high-stakes environments, from leading nuclear negotiations with Iran to managing diplomatic responses during the Ukraine conflict and the Arab Spring. Her experience spans the highest levels of British and international politics, having served as Leader of the House of Lords and EU Trade Commissioner. More recently, she was appointed as a Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter in 2023, reflecting her continued standing in public life. She currently shares her expertise as a senior adviser at the Eurasia Group and through her teaching at the Oxford Saïd Business School. Following the publication of her memoir on modern diplomacy, Baroness Ashton remains a premier choice for global audiences. She is frequently booked for her unique perspective on crisis management and reputation, offering a calm and human approach to understanding the complex personalities and policies that drive international relations today. On stage, Baroness Catherine Ashton is best known for talks on Crisis Management, Change Management, Risk & Risk Management, Politics & Geopolitics, Leadership and Reputation. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Business & Consulting and Politics & Government, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Baroness Catherine Ashton is regularly booked for Business Speaker and Conference Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Baroness Catherine Ashton would approach your audience.