Judith Wilcox, Baroness Wilcox

Judith Ann Freeman was born on 31 October 1939 in Plymouth, Devon, the eldest child and only daughter of John and Elsie (née Finch) Freeman. She was educated at St Dunstan's Abbey School, Plymouth and St Mary's School, Wantage. She graduated from Plymouth University with a Business Studies degree (Bachelor of Arts).

After spending some time in France, Wilcox managed her parents' retail business. She built and ran a family food business in Devon and Cornwall, diversifying into the fishing industry with her company, Capstan Foods Ltd, which was bought by Birdseye. She then established Channel Foods Ltd in Cornwall, supplying fish to supermarkets and other major retail chains. In 1989 this was sold to French company, Pêcheries de la Morinie, of which she was president from 1989 to 1991.

In 1990, Wilcox became chairman of the UK National Consumer Council, an independent organisation working on behalf of consumers.

Lady Wilcox was Under-Secretary of State for Business innovation and Skills (Intellectual Property) from 2010 to 2012. She was a UK delegate to the Council of Europe from 2012 to 2015. From 2015 to 2018 she was a member of the European Union Select Committee, which worked closely with Government departments planning the United Kingdom's departure for the European Union as well as a member of European Sub-Committee on Energy and Environment from 2015 to 2019.

She retired from the House of Lords on 17 December 2020.{{cite web|url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/1727/career|title=Baroness Wilcox|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=17 December 2020}}

Lady Wilcox has been a non-executive Director of the Automobile Association, Inland Revenue, Port of London Authority, Carpetright PLC, Johnson Services PLC, council member of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen (the Fishermen's Mission) and the Harris Academy. She is currently a governor of the Harris Westminster Sixth Form School, Westminster.

Lady Wilcox is Vice-President of the Girl Guides Association, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and until 2017 was Chairman of Trustees for the Community of St Mary the Virgin. In 2002, she was on the Commission advising on the appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Her hobbies include sailing, bird watching, enjoying cinema and theatre, as well as spending time with her grandchildren.

Lady Wilcox was first married in 1961 in Plymouth to Keith Davenport, with whom she had her only child, Simon (born 1963). She divorced Davenport in 1979. Seven years later, in 1986, she was married to Sir Malcolm Wilcox (1921–1986), the then-chief of Midland Bank. He died of cancer three months after their wedding. Wilcox has four grandchildren.

Upon her marriage to Sir Malcolm Wilcox, she became Judith, Lady Wilcox, as is customary for wives of Knights Commander of the British Empire (KBE). She retained use of this title until 16 January 1996, when she was made a life peer. Upon this, she acquired the title of Baroness Wilcox, of Plymouth in the County of Devon{{London Gazette |issue=54294 |date=22 January 1996 |page=987}} and the style of Right Honourable, in her own right.

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|escutcheon = Azure a cross Argent between four tressures Or each enclosing a fleur-de-lis surmounting and conjoined to a pentagon voided the two upper sides enarched Argent.

|supporters = On either side a lobster Azure crowned Or.

|motto = Simplici Myrto {{cite book|title=Debrett's Peerage |date=2000}}}}

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Category:1939 births

Category:Life peeresses created by Elizabeth II

Category:Life peers created by Elizabeth II

Wilcox, Judith Wilcox, Baroness

Category:Living people

Category:People educated at St Mary's School, Wantage

Category:People educated at Heathfield School, Ascot

Category:Alumni of the University of Plymouth

Category:Wives of knights

Category:Peers retired under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014