Catherine Ashton is a British Labour politician who served as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy from 2009 to 2014. She was the first woman to hold the position. Prior to her appointment, she was the Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council from 2007 to 2008. Ashton was born in Upholland, Lancashire, and studied economics at the University of Lancaster. She began her career in local government, working as a researcher for the Greater London Council and then as a councillor in Bassetlaw District Council. She later worked as a special adviser to the Labour Party and was elected to the House of Lords in 1999. In the House of Lords, Ashton held a number of positions, including Minister for Schools and Learners, Minister for Women and Equality, and Minister for Trade and Investment. She was also a member of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council and the United Nations Security Council. In 2009, Ashton was appointed High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. In this role, she was responsible for the EU's external relations and foreign policy, and for coordinating the EU's response to international crises. She was also a member of the European Commission and the European Council. During her tenure, Ashton was instrumental in negotiating a number of international agreements, including the Iran nuclear deal and the Geneva Conventions on Syria. She also worked to strengthen the EU's relations with its neighbours and to promote human rights and democracy around the world. After leaving her post in 2014, Ashton was appointed a Member of the Order of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth II.