In 1992 Stella Rimington became the first female Director General of MI5, The UK's national security intelligence agency.  This was the first time MI5 had publicly named their Director General although they did not issue a photograph.

These days Dame Stella is invited to speak at a wide range of events for audiences, including major national and international corporate clients, business professionals, the public and private sectors, trades associations and schools.

Her straightforward approach and friendly manner are combined with an informed view and intelligent judgement. She speaks about her life and career and is happy to take questions. 

In 2012, she chaired the Judging Panel for the Booker Prize for Fiction.

Dame Stella was born in 1935 and educated at Nottingham High School for Girls and Edinburgh University. She gained a postgraduate diploma in the Study of Records and the Administration of Archives at Liverpool University, and then worked in the Worcester County Record Office and the India Office Library, London. In 1965 she accompanied her husband on a posting to the British High Commission in New Delhi. While in India, she worked part-time for the Security Service, which at that time had an office in New Delhi.

Returning to the UK in 1969, she joined the Security Service as a full-time employee. She worked in all the main fields of the Service's responsibilities - counter-subversion, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism - becoming successively Director of all three branches. Stella retired in April 1996. 

That same year Stella Rimington was made a Dame Commander of the Bath in the New Year Honours List. She has received honorary degrees from Nottingham and Exeter Universities. Edinburgh University elected her as their Alumna of the Year in 1994.

She was Non-Executive Director of Marks & Spencer Plc and BG Group Plc and an Associate Director of CPS, where she does executive coaching and mentoring. She was previously Chairman of the Institute of Cancer Research and Trustee of the Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust.

Until 2001, Dame Stella was Honorary Air Commodore of 7006 (VR) Intelligence Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force and a Trustee of the RAF Museum.

A Governor of Town Close House Preparatory School in Norwich, she has two daughters and five grandchildren.

Dame Stella is known to billions of people worldwide as the role model for the character "M" played by Dame Judi Dench in the James Bond 007 films.

Books by Dame Stella Rimington:
Open Secret - her autobiography (published in 2001).

Her thrillers, featuring Liz Carlyle, include At Risk, Secret Asset, Illegal Action, Dead Line, Present Danger, Rip Tide, The Geneva Trap, and Close Call.

The most recent in the series, Breaking Cover, was published in July 2016.

What people say about Dame Stella (just a few of the many testimonials received):

"Dame Stella is exceptionally polished, very professional and inspiring. Her insight and knowledge are exceptional and we could have listed to her sharing her experinces all day. Many thanks to Diana Boulter from DBA for arranging for Dame Stella to be our guest speaker"
International Bank, London

"Dame Stella was really inspiring and listening to what she accomplished was great"
ImagoTechMedia

"Dame Stella was delightful and the stories of her working life were fascinating, much enjoyed by everyone, including HRH Princess Anne. Delighted to have such an inspiring lady with us."
SIGBI, 2015 

"On behalf of White & Case, I would like to thank you so much for a wonderfully entertaining evening. You covered so much - not just your own fascinating career, but also 50 years of political and social history in the UK. The changing role of well-educated women in that period is something you don't appreciate until you hear someone with your perspective. I was very sad I didn't have my16-year-old daughter in the room to hear it from you first hand. There were a mix of senior lawyers and senior clients (from banks and corporates) in the room and we have received fantastic feedback" 
Partner, White & Case LLP, London

"Dame Stella was absolutely excellent - our audience were spellbound. She was an excellent choice and we would highly recommend her. Excellent support from DBA Speakers, going the extra mile" 
Optimum Events for iTelligence Business Solutions, 2015

"Dame Stella was superb. Excellent feedback. Delegates thought she was excellent. An absolute pleasure to have her at our event"
PMK BNC for Microsoft