Molly Meacher, Baroness Meacher
Encyclopedia
Molly Christine Meacher, Baroness Meacher, (born 15 May 1940), known from 2000 to 2006 as Lady Layard, is a British
social worker.
Meacher was educated at the Berkhamsted School for Girls
, the University of York
, where she received a Bachelor of Arts
in economics in 1970, and the University of London
, where she received a Certificate of Qualification in Social Work in 1980.
She was a social worker in North London
and worked for the Mental Health Foundation
. From 1991 to 1994 Meacher was chief adviser to the Russian Government on employment. Following she became Deputy Chair Police Complaints Authority, a post she held until 2002. Between 2002 and 2004, she was chair of Security Industry Authority
, and in 2004, she was appointed chair of the East London and City Mental Health Trust. She is currently the Chair of a new body (from 2007), the East London NHS Foundation Trust. On 2 May 2006, she was made a life peer
as Baroness Meacher, of Spitalfields in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets
and sits as a crossbencher.
In 1962 she married Michael Meacher
, with whom she has two sons and two daughters. They divorced in 1987, and in 1991 she married Peter Richard Grenville Layard. She and her second husband are one of the few couples to both hold titles in their own right.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
social worker.
Meacher was educated at the Berkhamsted School for Girls
Berkhamsted Collegiate School
Berkhamsted School is an independent school in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England. The present school was formed in 1997 by the amalgamation of the original Berkhamsted School, founded in 1541 by John Incent, Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, Berkhamsted School for Girls, established in 1888, and...
, the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
, where she received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in economics in 1970, and the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
, where she received a Certificate of Qualification in Social Work in 1980.
She was a social worker in North London
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England. It is an imprecise description and the area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes. Common to these definitions is that it includes districts located north of the River Thames and is used in comparison with South...
and worked for the Mental Health Foundation
Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation was founded in 1949. It is a British charitable organization that provides information, carries out research, and campaigns to improve services for people affected by mental health problems...
. From 1991 to 1994 Meacher was chief adviser to the Russian Government on employment. Following she became Deputy Chair Police Complaints Authority, a post she held until 2002. Between 2002 and 2004, she was chair of Security Industry Authority
Security Industry Authority
The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. It is a non-departmental public body reporting to the Home Secretary and was established in 2003 under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.The SIA has two main...
, and in 2004, she was appointed chair of the East London and City Mental Health Trust. She is currently the Chair of a new body (from 2007), the East London NHS Foundation Trust. On 2 May 2006, she was made a 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...
as Baroness Meacher, of Spitalfields in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is a London borough to the east of the City of London and north of the River Thames. It is in the eastern part of London and covers much of the traditional East End. It also includes much of the redeveloped Docklands region of London, including West India Docks...
and sits as a crossbencher.
In 1962 she married Michael Meacher
Michael Meacher
Michael Hugh Meacher is a British Labour politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Oldham West and Royton since 1997. Previously he had been the MP for Oldham West, first elected in 1970. On 22 February 2007 he declared that he would be standing for the Labour Leadership, challenging...
, with whom she has two sons and two daughters. They divorced in 1987, and in 1991 she married Peter Richard Grenville Layard. She and her second husband are one of the few couples to both hold titles in their own right.
Works
- Scrounging on the Welfare, (1972)
- To Him Who Hath, (1977)
- New Methods of Mental Health Care, (1979)
- Contributor The Mentally Disordered Offender, (1991)