Catherine Ashton

Catherine Ashton, also known as Catherine Margaret Ashton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, is a British Labour politician. Born on March 20, 1956, she served as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and First Vice President of the European Commission in the Barroso Commission from 2009 to 2014. Ashton began her political career in 1999 when she became a life peer as Baroness Ashton of Upholland. She held various roles in the Department for Education and Skills and the Ministry of Justice. Ashton also served as Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council. She played a pivotal role in steering the EU's Treaty of Lisbon through the UK Parliament's upper chamber.