Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Biographical Information

UK Minister of Overseas Development 1987 - 97

Between 1986 and 1997 Lynda Chalker was UK Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, holding responsibility for Africa and the Commonwealth and for Overseas Development.

Lynda Chalker has been a member of the Lower and Upper Houses of the UK Parliament for over thirty six years and was made a Life Peer in 1992.

Activity after public politics

Lady Chalker is the Chairman of Africa Matters Limited, a pan African group of advisers seeking to take investment into African businesses and keep them viable. With her considerable experience of African cultures and relationships, and of the numerous business and development issues crucial to Africa, she supports the work of the company, providing leadership and political insights which help make Africa Matters Limited unique.

Lady Chalker was the first woman to be appointed first an Advisory and then a non-executive director of Unilever. She is also a non-executive director of Group Five(Pty), a member of the international advisory boards of Lafarge et Cie, and MerchantBridge Ltd; and was an adviser to the World Bank.  

She is Chairman of the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV and Trustee of the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) as well as being a patron of a number of charities, including the Chalker Foundation for Africa.

Memberships and Associations

• Chair of the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV)
• Trustee of the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF)
• Patron of the Chalker Foundation for Africa
• Vice President of Water Aid
• Non-executive director of Unilever
• Non-executive director of Group Five(Pty)
• Member of the International Advisory Board of Lafarge et Cie
• Member of the International Advisory Board of MerchantBridge Ltd
• Adviser to the World Bank
• Co-ordinator of the Honorary International Investment Council of President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria
• Member of similar bodies in Uganda and Tanzania
• Advisor to the Global Business Schools Network
• Advisor to the African Association of Business Schools