Theresa May

Theresa May, former UK Prime Minister, shares invaluable insights on leadership, resilience, and global affairs.

Theresa May served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019, leading the country through one of the most complex political periods in modern history. As only the second female Prime Minister, she brought a focus on stability, social justice, and long-term policy planning.

With a political career spanning over 25 years, Theresa May was elected as the Member of Parliament for Maidenhead in 1997, a role she held until 2023. Her journey into politics began at a grassroots level, first volunteering for her local Conservative Association before becoming a councillor in the London Borough of Merton. Passionate about increasing female representation in politics, she co-founded Women2Win in 2005, a campaign dedicated to supporting more women into Parliament and public office.

In 2010, she became the UK’s longest-serving Conservative Home Secretary in over a century. During this time, she oversaw landmark reforms, including the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act, a pioneering piece of legislation aimed at tackling human trafficking and exploitation. She also worked to reduce crime and reform policing across the country.

As Prime Minister, Theresa May’s leadership was defined by her commitment to public service and policy-driven governance. She took charge of Brexit negotiations following the 2016 referendum, steering the country through a challenging and deeply divided political landscape. Alongside this, she delivered the largest funding increase for the NHS in its history, expanded mental health services, and launched a 25-year Environment Plan to ensure the UK led on sustainability and climate change. She was also instrumental in introducing legislation to make the UK one of the first major economies to commit to net-zero carbon emissions.

Under her leadership, the government established the first-ever Race Disparity Audit, bringing transparency to racial inequalities in public services. She also introduced a Modern Industrial Strategy designed to ensure that economic growth and job creation were not just concentrated in London but benefited communities across the UK. During her tenure, the UK’s national debt fell, employment reached record levels, and taxes were cut for millions of people.

Beyond politics, Theresa May remains a dedicated advocate for key global issues. She continues to work closely with over 20 charities and voluntary organisations, including the Aldersgate Group, which promotes environmental sustainability, and Breakthrough T1D, supporting research into type 1 diabetes. In 2023, she launched the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, a major international initiative to push for stronger action against exploitation.

Now sitting in the House of Lords, she also serves as a Senior Fellow at Yale University, where she teaches on the future of democracy, sharing her deep knowledge of governance, resilience, and leadership in an evolving world.

Theresa May is an authoritative voice on leadership, global affairs, and navigating political change. She brings first-hand experience of decision-making at the highest level and offers invaluable insights into resilience, policy, and the future of democracy.