Lorna Fitzsimons

Lorna Fitzsimons (born 1967) is chief executive of the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre (BICOM) and the former Labour MP for Rochdale.

Fitzsimons attended Loughborough College of Art and Design (1988), where she was awarded a BA in Textile Design. Her early political career involved a stint as a commercial lobbyist with Rowland Sallingbury Casey. In 1995 she was named named the Institute of Public Relations’ first Young Communicator of the Year. The high-flying Fitzsimons reportedly took a pay cut to become an MP.

She was the Labour member of Parliament for Rochdale from 1997 until her defeat at the 2005 election by the Liberal Democrat candidate Paul Rowen. Perhaps the political kiss of death was the visit to her constituency by Tony Blair during the 2005 general election, where he proclaimed Fitzsimons 'a remarkable woman... with a big future in British politics'.

Fitzsimons was formerly president of the National Union of Students and a member of Labour Friends of Israel. She was appointed CEO of BICOM on 29th September 2006.

Wielding great influence on British Jewry

In 2008, The Jeruselem Chronicle declared 'the top spots' on their second annual list of those who 'wield the greatest influence on British Jewry'. Fitzsimons is listed at number 36. The criteria for being listed is described as 'those with a vision for Jewish life in this country and who did their utmost to bring it about using either money; persuasion; religion; culture; political or social leadership; or simply inspiring through word and deed'.

The article's sole comment on Fitzsimons states that 'The former Rochdale MP is making an impact at Bicom'.

Others included in the top 30 of the list were Lord Levy (number 9), Ron Prosor (number 10), Daniel Finkelstein (number 11), John Mann (number 17), Jonathan Freedland (number 18), Julia Neuberger (number 19), Lord Janner (number 20), Prime Minister Gordon Brown (number 29) & Poju Zabludowicz (number 30).

Career

• 2006: CEO, BICOM
• 2005: Visiting fellow for the United Kingdom Defence Academy
• 1997: Labour MP for Rochdale
• 1994: Associate director, The Rowland Company/Rowland Sallingbury Casey
• 1992: President, National Union of Students

Affiliations

• Labour Friends of Israel
• BICOM – chief executive

References

• Gaby Hinsliff, "The confessions of a Blair Babe": How One of the New Labour Women Woke Up To Notoriety, Daily Mail (London), 20 October 1997, Pg. 3.
• Kavanagh, M. NEWS: Ex-NUS chief Fitzsimons wins young IPR award, PR Week, 8 December 1995.
• PR Week June 29, 2007 Ready to do battle - Lorna Fitzsimons, CEO, Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre BYLINE: Kate Magee SECTION: PROFILE; Pg. 17.
• Simpson, M., Lorna Boon, BBC News, Election 2005, 21 April 2005., accessed 02 March 2009.
• The Jewish Chronicle JC Power 100: Sacks stays on top, as new names emerge. 9th May 2008, accessed 16th August 2008.
• The Jewish Chronicle How we made our selection 09 May 2008, accessed 16 August 2008.