Esther McLaughlin

Saheli

Chairperson, U.K

Esther was born in Scotland and has a Degree from Edinburgh university; an MBA; qualifications in both Marketing and Personnel management; Charity Management and has been a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts since 1992.

During her career she worked in the Civil Service and the National Health Service and in her mid-30s became an Assistant Director of Social Services in 3 local authorities including 2 London Boroughs. From 1998 she was employed in the Charity sector and from 2000 she became deputy CEO of a national exam board. To give back something to the community she engaged in voluntary work: ten years from 2000 as a governor at a further education college in Enfield; followed in 2012 by becoming a trustee at Enfield Saheli and accepting the chairmanship role in 2015, a position she still holds.

In addition to her busy career and voluntary work, Esther married Charlie in 1975 and subsequently became a mother to two daughters, who also became graduates. She now has 3 lively grandchildren.

She firmly believes that education is a route to empower women to understand and improve their lives. A principle she holds to is that no matter how successful you become it is your duty to support women who need help in the community.