Baroness Verma appointed a minister at DFID
Baroness Sandip Verma was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department at the Department for International Development on 13 May 2015. In her role, she is responsible for steering and monitoring the performance and delivery of DFID’s work in the following areas: Caribbean, Civil society, Corporate performance, Europe, United Nations and Commonwealth and all Departmental business in the House of Lords. She is a Conservative member of the House of Lords.
On her appointment Baroness Verma said, "I am delighted to join the Department for International Development as its new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State. It is clear that British aid is making a tremendous difference in some of the world’s poorest countries. From Somalia to Sierra Leone, our work is transforming lives across the globe."
"Our hugely successful Aid Match scheme has helped boost the British public’s own generous donations to different charity campaigns. I am pleased to join this effort and help create new and engaging ways we can work together to end poverty overseas. This is not only the right thing to do, it is also firmly in the UK’s own national interest."
About Baroness Verma
Baroness Sandip Verma is a businesswoman and member of the House of Lords. Born in Amritsar in Punjab, India, she moved as a child with her parents to England in 1960. She attended local schools and University in Leicester. Baroness Verma started her first business at the age of 19 in high fashion, supplying high street multiples. In 2000 she changed her business to the service sector.
In 2006 she was raised to the peerage as Baroness Verma of Leicester in the County of Leicestershire. She was Opposition Whip from 2006 to 2010 and then Government Whip following the 2010 general election. Prior to becoming Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for DECC, Baroness Verma was Spokesperson for Cabinet Office, International Development, Women and Equalities and Business Innovation and Skills.
Since 1977, Lady Verma has been married to businessman Ashok Verma.
