Martha Lane Fox is an illustrious businesswoman, credited with founding countless businesses and working with some of the greatest industry-leading organisations. Martha began what would become a successful career in business back in the late 1990s, co-founding lastminute.com in 1997. Working alongside Brent Hoberman, the pair created the online travel and leisure retail site with the vision of offering numerous deals for late bookings of holidays. Since founding the company, Martha has seen lastminute.com go from strength to strength as managing director, before stepping down in 2003.
After leaving lastminute.com, Martha joined Nick Thistleton to co-found another business. The pair joined forces to co-found Luckyvoice in 2005, now hosting several bars across the country and revolutionising the karaoke industry. Martha was then appointed as Non-Executive Director of Marks & Spencer in 2007, providing her expertise to the retail giant for nine years. Also in 2007, Martha became a Non-Executive Director of mydeco.com and founded Antigone, a company that provided grants to charities in sectors such as criminal justice, technology, education and healthcare.
In 2009 Martha became a UK Digital Champion, working for the UK Government to create their Government Digital Service. A year later she founded go-on-uk.org, a charity further championing the improvement of digital capability within the UK. Other prominent roles of Martha’s include Non-Executive Director of Channel 4, Chancellor of The Open University, Founder of Doteveryone, Patron of Just for Kids Law and Non-Executive Director of Chanel. She is also currently the Director of Twitter and is an advisor for the Government Digital Service.
In 2013, Martha was appointed as a crossbencher in the House of Lords, notably becoming the youngest female member. Throughout her time in the House of Lords, Martha has advocated the importance of digital literacy, pushing to make sure that it is current throughout all sectors and economies. Martha has also been appointed as a member of the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy and a trustee of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust. A philanthropist at heart, Martha is frequently seen supporting charity work, evident through her organisation Antigone and advocacy for issues regarding women’s rights, human rights and various aspects of social justice.
Throughout her illustrious career, Martha has claimed countless awards. In 2013 she was appointed CBE during the 2013 New Year Honours and received recognition as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the United Kingdom by Woman’s Hour. In the same year, Martha was made a life peer and gained the title of Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho. She has also been recognised on the Richtopia 100 Most Influential British Entrepreneurs, ranked at 15th, and was made a Distinguished Fellow of BCS. The Drum named Martha as the Most Influential Woman in Britain’s Digital Sector from the Past Quarter of a Century.
Widely considered as a role model in the world of business, Martha is now highly sought after as a public speaker. From start-up businesses to working for high-profile brands, Martha has a plethora of knowledge across a range of sectors. An ideal speaker to bring understanding to the fast-paced world of business, Martha Lane Fox is the perfect speaker for your next event.
Most recently, Martha Lane Fox was inducted into the Official Top Digital Disruption Speakers to Hire, celebrating her career as an inspirational businesswoman.
