Val Gooding

Val Gooding began her career as a reservations agent for British Airways, working her way up through a number of senior positions, including head of cabin services and director of business units. After twenty-three years at BA, she quit to join BUPA because she felt it was too'narrow' to spend a whole career with one company in one industry.
After two years as managing director, UK operations, Val Gooding became chief executive, a position she held until retiring in 2008.  Val, who was awarded the CBE for services to business in 2002, is now chairman of Premier Farnell PLC and non-executive director of the BBC executive board, CBI, Standard Chartered Bank and the Lawn Tennis Association. She is also a Trustee of the Nritish museum.