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Michele Acton
British banker and academic leader (born 1967) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Michele Louise Acton (born 25 June 1967) is the current Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Medicine. A former investment banker, she is the Principal-Elect of St Hugh's College, Oxford.[1]
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Career
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Acton was born on 25 June 1967[2] and read Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Trinity College, Oxford.[3] Acton began her career as an Investment Banker in the City of London for fifteen years, working at Barings Bank, Merrill Lynch & Co. and HSBC Investment Bank and advising companies on raising finance and mergers and acquisitions.[4][5]
She was then appointed Chief Executive of UCL Hospitals Charitable Foundation. In 2006, she became Chief Executive of Fight for Sight, the UK's largest charity funding pioneering eye research.[6] Acton’s work at Fight for Sight oversaw the bringing together of two charities – Fight for Sight and the British Eye Research Foundation – to form one national charity focused on addressing sight loss. By the end of her time there, Fight for Sight had an £8 million research commitment to scientists and healthcare professionals at over 40 universities and hospitals.[7] While Chief Executive at Fight for Sight, Acton opened the Cambridge Eye Research Centre at Addenbrooke's Hospital alongside Dame Mary Archer.[8] From 2007 to 2014, Acton served as a Trustee of St John's, Smith Square.[9]
Acton was appointed Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Medicine in 2019.[10] As Chief Executive, Acton leads an organization that provides multidisciplinary and specialist education to 35,000 healthcare professionals around the world, is home to an academic library and the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, as well as hosting international events and conferences.[11][12] Acton's responsibilities also include managing the Royal Society of Medicine's London properties worth in excess of £100 million.[13] Acton is a board member of the Harley Street Business Improvement District.[14]
In February 2025, it was announced that Acton had been elected as the next Principal of St Hugh's College, Oxford, succeeding Lady Elish Angiolini.[15]
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Personal life
Acton was married to Conservative politician Mark Field from 1994 until 2006, when the couple divorced following Field's extra-marital affair with his fellow Member of Parliament Liz Truss.[16][17]
References
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