Catherine Sidony McGuinness, CBE (born 1959), is a politician and public speaker for the City of London Corporation, who served as Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, the Corporation of London's de facto political leader, from 2017 to 2022.
The daughter of two academics, the philosopher Brian McGuinness and the music historian Rosamond McGuinness née Cohan, her brother, Paddy McGuinness,[1] served as Deputy National Security Adviser for Intelligence, Security, and Resilience at the Cabinet Office, 2014 to 2018.
In 1988 she married John Gilbert, chairman of the Cripplegate Foundation[2] and former Liberal Democrat councillor for Islington (2006–2014).[3]
After reading PPEatSt Anne's College, Oxford, McGuinness qualified as a solicitor. She has represented Castle Baynard Ward on the Common Council since 1997.[4] In May 2017 she took over from Sir Mark Boleat as Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee of the City of London Corporation, having previously served as Deputy Chairman.[5]
A Trustee of Centre for London, McGuinness is also a Court Assistant to the Musicians' Company[6] and a member of the livery of the Educators' and Solicitors' companies.[7]
She was appointed CBE in the 2023 New Year Honours.[8]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee Corporation of London May 2017 – May 2022 |
Succeeded by Chris Hayward |