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WOMEN OF THE WORLD - CHERIE BLAIR
WOMEN OF THE WORLD
Cherie Blair
“I have always admired Cherie, her energy, her drive, her ability to multitask, and I had thought as a businesswoman and single mother I had done this reasonably well, but Cherie takes it to a new level. She shines in the world of law, being named Queen's Counsel, one of the highest honours within the legal profession, aged just 40, bringing up four children and at the same time doing so much for others through her charitable work, one in particular that stands out to me is her namesake Foundation for Women, empowering female entrepreneurs across the globe to reach their potential with training and support. I was at the foundation's Syon House event last week celebrating supporting 230,000 female entrepreneurs to date, speeches were impressive, Cherie spoke wisely and enthusiastically and her husband, Tony Blair also spoke in support of Cherie's passion for the foundation.”
KIM WINSER, OBE
Cherie Blair, CBE (Commander of the British Empire), KC (King’s Counsel), also known professionally by her maiden name Cherie Booth, is well known as an English barrister, leading international human rights lawyer, passionate campaigner for women’s equality and wife of former Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
Cherie was a founding member of Matrix Chambers, a ground breaking legal practice designed to break down the barriers between providers of legal services. She is currently Chair of Omnia Strategy LLP, a pioneering international law firm that provides strategic counsel to governments, corporates and private clients which she founded in 2012. In 2008 she established the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, which partners with global organizations to support women entrepreneurs in the developing world. Cherie is also Chancellor of the Asian University for Women based in Chittagong in Bangladesh. She is Patron of a number of charities in the UK focussing on women, children and her native city of Liverpool.
She studied law at the London School of Economics, graduating with a First Class Degree.
Cherie and Tony have four children and eight grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to keep fit and loves the performing arts, reading and her garden.
Our founder, Kim Winser met Cherie for lunch at Charlotte Street Hotel in London and asked her about her life.
Cherie was a founding member of Matrix Chambers, a ground breaking legal practice designed to break down the barriers between providers of legal services. She is currently Chair of Omnia Strategy LLP, a pioneering international law firm that provides strategic counsel to governments, corporates and private clients which she founded in 2012. In 2008 she established the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, which partners with global organizations to support women entrepreneurs in the developing world. Cherie is also Chancellor of the Asian University for Women based in Chittagong in Bangladesh. She is Patron of a number of charities in the UK focussing on women, children and her native city of Liverpool.
She studied law at the London School of Economics, graduating with a First Class Degree.
Cherie and Tony have four children and eight grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to keep fit and loves the performing arts, reading and her garden.
Our founder, Kim Winser met Cherie for lunch at Charlotte Street Hotel in London and asked her about her life.
Cherie Blair, CBE (Commander of the British Empire), KC (King’s Counsel), also known professionally by her maiden name Cherie Booth, is well known as an English barrister, leading international human rights lawyer, passionate campaigner for women’s equality and wife of former Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
Cherie was a founding member of Matrix Chambers, a ground breaking legal practice designed to break down the barriers between providers of legal services. She is currently Chair of Omnia Strategy LLP, a pioneering international law firm that provides strategic counsel to governments, corporates and private clients which she founded in 2012. In 2008 she established the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, which partners with global organizations to support women entrepreneurs in the developing world. Cherie is also Chancellor of the Asian University for Women based in Chittagong in Bangladesh. She is Patron of a number of charities in the UK focussing on women, children and her native city of Liverpool.
She studied law at the London School of Economics, graduating with a First Class Degree.
Cherie and Tony have four children and eight grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to keep fit and loves the performing arts, reading and her garden.
Our founder, Kim Winser met Cherie for lunch at Charlotte Street Hotel in London and asked her about her life.
Cherie, thank you so much for speaking with me about your interesting and impressive life story. May I start at the very beginning and ask about your childhood?
Thank you so much for your interest in my life story. I'd be happy to talk about my childhood. I was born in Bury, Lancashire, but moved at 6 weeks to live with my father's mother in Waterloo, Liverpool. My grandmother Vera was always an important person in my life - as was Liverpool. My father Tony Booth, an actor, abandoned my mother Gale, my sister Lyndsey and myself when I was eight years old. My mother from then on was left to support us as a single parent. She and my grandma instilled in me the values of hard work, education and equality. Despite our financial struggles, Gale and Vera always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and strive for success.
What do you feel influenced who you are and the life choices you have made?
My childhood had a significant influence on who I am today and the choices I have made. Growing up in a modest background made me appreciate the value of education and the importance of equal opportunities for all. It also fuelled my desire to make a positive impact in the world and fight for justice and equality. My upbringing taught me resilience and determination, which have been essential in my career and personal life.
I was also greatly influenced by the many incredible women around the world whom I was lucky to meet during my time as wife of the Prime Minister. These women’s fortitude, ambition and enormous potential are what led me to set up the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, which supports women in low and middle income countries to start and run their businesses successfully.
I was also greatly influenced by the many incredible women around the world whom I was lucky to meet during my time as wife of the Prime Minister. These women’s fortitude, ambition and enormous potential are what led me to set up the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, which supports women in low and middle income countries to start and run their businesses successfully.
You have had such a successful life – to what or to whom do you credit your drive?
There are many factors that have helped me along the way. First and foremost, the support and encouragement from my family has played a crucial role. Additionally, my passion for the law and my belief in the power of justice have always motivated me to work hard to try to make a difference. The challenges I have faced along the way have also fuelled my drive to overcome obstacles and achieve my goals.
Of all the experiences you have had to date, which stands out as the most memorable or life-changing?
It's difficult to pick just one experience as the most memorable or life-changing, as there have been several significant moments in my life. However, I would say that being named Queen's Counsel at the age of 40 was a major milestone for me. It was a recognition of my expertise and accomplishments in the legal profession. Another life-changing experience was founding the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women in 2008. Working with women entrepreneurs around the world to tackle gender inequality in entrepreneurship has been incredibly rewarding.
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in the world of law?
My advice to a woman starting out in the world of law would be to believe in yourself and your abilities. The legal field can be demanding and competitive, but don't let that discourage you. Seek out mentors and role models who can guide you and provide support. Continuously educate yourself and stay updated on current legal trends. And most importantly, never lose sight of your passion for justice and making a positive impact in people's lives.
Your work for women’s equality is clearly close to your heart – please do tell us more about your charity and the work that you have done so far?
The work I have done for women's equality is something that is very close to my heart. The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women partners with organisations around the world to support women entrepreneurs in low and middle income countries. We provide training and mentoring which opens doors to skills, confidence, networks, finance and markets. This empowers women to overcome the specific barriers that they face so they can start and grow successful businesses and achieve their own economic objectives. To date, we have supported over 230,000 women and have seen many of them go on to achieve great things in business, creating an enormous ripple effect of impact for their families, communities and economies.
What is your dress style and how do clothes affect the way that you feel?
Obviously, I try to dress appropriately for the occasion and I tend to prefer classic and elegant styles that give me confidence. Clothes matter and have the power to influence how you feel, and wearing something that makes me feel comfortable and confident can positively impact my performance.
I know that you are a fan of Winser London. May I ask which are your favourite pieces from our current collection and how you wear them?
Yes, I am certainly a fan of Winser London whose clothes I find stylish and sophisticated. I particularly love the trouser collection and appreciate the attention to detail and the quality of the fabrics. I wear them for a range of different occasions, whether it's a professional setting, a social event, or even a casual outing paired with the right accessories. Winser London clothes are an essential part of my wardrobe.
