Dianne Thompson
{{Short description|Businesswoman from the United Kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Dame Dianne Thompson
DBE
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Ila Dianne Wood
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|12|31|df=y}}
| birth_place = UK
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| education = Batley Girls’ Grammar School
| alma mater = University of London
Manchester Metropolitan University
| employer =
| occupation = Businesswoman
| title =
| spouse =
| children =
| parents = Ronald Wood
Joan Pinder
| relatives =
}}
Dame Ila Dianne Thompson, DBE ({{nee}} Wood; born 31 December 1950) is a British businesswoman. She was chief executive officer of Camelot Group from 2000 to 2014.
Early life and education
Thompson was born on 31 December 1950 to{{cite web|title=THOMPSON, Dame (Ila) Dianne|url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U42064|website=Who's Who 2017|accessdate=28 September 2017}} Ronald and Joan ({{nee}} Pinder) Wood. Thompson was educated at the Batley Girls’ Grammar School.
She earned Bachelor of Arts{{cite web|title=Notable past students of University of London|url=https://london.ac.uk/notable-past-students|work=University of London|accessdate=11 June 2018}} in French and English from the University of London as an external student at Manchester Polytechnic (now Manchester Metropolitan University).
Career
Thompson joined Camelot in 1997 and was appointed CEO in 2000.[http://www.checkcompany.co.uk/director/1809491/ILA-DIANNE-THOMPSON Profile], checkcompany.co.uk; accessed 16 June 2016. In April 2014 it was announced that Thompson would step down from the position from 31 October.{{cite news|last=Yeomans|first=Jon|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/people/camelot-boss-dianne-thompson-steps-down-after-14-years/356915.article|title=Camelot boss Dianne Thompson steps down after 14 years|work=The Grocer|date=29 April 2014|accessdate=3 September 2014}} Since 2015, she has been a non-executive director of Next plc.{{cite web|title=Our Board: DAME DIANNE THOMPSON|url=http://www.nextplc.co.uk/about-next/our-board|website=Next plc|accessdate=28 September 2017}}
In 2014, Thompson was among candidates considered to succeed Chris Patten as Chair of the BBC Trust, but in August, it was announced that the position would be given to Rona Fairhead, a former Chair of Financial Times Group.{{cite news|last=Prynne|first=Miranda|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/11065639/Businesswoman-Rona-Fairhead-the-preferred-choice-for-next-BBC-Trust-chairman.html|title=Businesswoman Rona Fairhead the preferred choice for next BBC Trust chairman|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=31 August 2014|accessdate=3 September 2014}}
It was confirmed in 2014 that Thompson had assumed ownership of The George Hotel on the Isle of Wight and that she had plans to reinvigorate the hotel and its dining offer.[http://onthewight.com/2014/03/31/new-owner-george-hotel-revealed/ "New owner of The George Hotel revealed" On The Wight 31 March 2014] Retrieved 19 November 2014.
From Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), Thompson was elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to the National Lottery and charitable services.{{London Gazette|issue=61092|supp=y|page=N8|date=31 December 2014}}[https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/391413/New_Year_Honours_List_2015.pdf 2015 New Year Honours List] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102104907/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/391413/New_Year_Honours_List_2015.pdf |date=January 2, 2015 }}
Personal life
Arms
{{Infobox COA wide
|image = Thompson Achievement.png
|escutcheon = Per pale barry wavy of four Azure and Argent eight Roundels in orle counterchanged on a Chief Or a Lion passant guardant Gules.
|badge = Badge (not illustrated): An Oak Tree eradicated proper fructed Gules in front of the trunk a Circular Saw Blade Sable thereon a Rose Argent barbed and seeded proper.
|motto = Honesty and Integrity
|notes = Arms were granted 16 November 2016 {{Cite web|url=https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/news-grants/newsletter/item/134-january-2017-newsletter-no-49|title=January 2017 Newsletter (No. 49) - College of Arms}}}}
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:Place of birth missing (living people)
Category:Alumni of University of London Worldwide
Category:Alumni of the University of London
Category:Alumni of Manchester Metropolitan University
Category:English women in business
Category:British chief executives
Category:British corporate directors
Category:Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
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