Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller

Former Director-General of MI5, the First Female Chancellor of the Order of the Garter & Named as one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes

Eliza Manningham-Buller’s Biography:

Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller is a former Director General of MI5 and one of the most respected figures in modern British intelligence and national security. During her distinguished career in the Security Service, she played a central role in protecting the United Kingdom from domestic and international terrorism. Rising through the organisation to become Director General in 2002, she oversaw intelligence operations during a period of heightened global security challenges. Her work in counter-terrorism and intelligence leadership has made her a highly sought-after speaker on risk, security and decision-making in complex environments.

Eliza was educated at Northampton High School and Benenden School before reading English at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. After working briefly as a teacher, she joined the Security Service in 1974, beginning a long career in intelligence. Over the following decades, she worked across numerous operational roles, focusing particularly on counter-terrorism. She served on the Security Service Management Board and led the Irish counter-terrorism section before being posted to Washington as a senior liaison officer with the US intelligence community.

In 1997, Eliza was appointed Deputy Director General of MI5 before becoming Director General in 2002. She led the organisation during a critical period for UK security before leaving the service in 2007. Following her intelligence career, she was raised to the peerage as Baroness Manningham-Buller of Northampton in 2008 and continues to contribute to national debate through her work in the House of Lords. Her memoir, ‘Securing Freedom’, was published in 2012, providing insight into the challenges of intelligence leadership.

Beyond intelligence and public service, Eliza has held a number of prominent leadership roles. She became the first female Chair of the Wellcome Trust and served as Co-President of Chatham House. She has also been Chairman of the Court and Council of Imperial College London and delivered the prestigious BBC Reith Lectures. In 2024, she was appointed the first female Chancellor of the Order of the Garter and in 2025 became an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society.

Why Hire Eliza Manningham-Buller?

Baroness Manningham-Buller is hired as a speaker for her unparalleled insight into leadership in high-stakes environments where decisions carry profound consequences. Drawing on decades in intelligence and national security, she provides rare perspective on managing uncertainty, assessing risk and maintaining clear judgement under pressure.

Her talks explore themes such as crisis leadership, national security, organisational resilience and the evolving nature of global threats. With experience operating at the highest levels of government and intelligence, she offers audiences thoughtful reflections on responsibility, integrity and strategic thinking in times of uncertainty.

Eliza Manningham-Buller’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Eliza Manningham-Buller’s amazing career:

• 2025 – Appointed an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of her contribution to national security and public service.
• 2024 – Appointed the first female Chancellor of the Order of the Garter, one of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious honours.
• 2023 – Appointed Honorary Advisor to the John Innes Centre, supporting strategic guidance in scientific research and innovation.
• 2022 – Appointed Chair of the House of Lords Conduct Committee, overseeing standards and governance within the chamber.
• 2020 – Listed 86th in the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes, recognising her influence in global leadership.
• 2015 – Became Co-President of Chatham House, contributing to international policy discussions and global affairs research.
• 2015 – Appointed the first female Chair of the Wellcome Trust, one of the world’s leading biomedical research charities.
• 2014 – Appointed a Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter, recognising her distinguished public service.
• 2012 – Published Securing Freedom, reflecting on leadership and national security in modern intelligence.
• 2011 – Delivered the BBC Reith Lectures, exploring security, intelligence and the challenges of global threats.
• 2002 – Appointed Director General of MI5, becoming the organisation’s second female leader.