{{short description|British businesswoman (born 1973); member of the House of Lords}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}} {{Use British English|date=March 2012}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = The Right Honourable | name = The Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho | honorific_suffix = CBE HonFREng | image = Martha & Robin Lane-Fox (Martha cropped).jpg | caption = Lane Fox in 2013 | office = Chancellor of the Open University | term_start = 12 March 2014 | term_end = | predecessor = The Lord Puttnam | successor = | office1 = Member of the House of Lords | status1 = Lord Temporal | term_label1 = Life peerage | term_start1 = 25 March 2013 | term_end1 = | birth_name = Martha Lane Fox | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|2|10|df=y}} | birth_place = London, England | death_date = | death_place = | party = None (crossbencher) | occupation = Entrepreneur, life peer | education = Oxford High School, Oxford<br>Westminster School | alma_mater = University of Oxford (BA) | father = Robin Lane Fox | website = {{LinkedIn page}} }}
'''Martha Lane Fox, Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho'''{{refn|group=nb|Her title is hyphenated, whereas her surname is not.<ref>{{cite news |work=BBC News |title=Digital boss Martha Lane Fox to get peerage |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21604733 |date=27 February 2013 |access-date=26 October 2016}}</ref>}} (born 10 February 1973) is a British businesswoman, philanthropist and public servant. She co-founded Last Minute during the dotcom boom of the early 2000s and has subsequently served on public service digital projects. She sits on the boards of WeTransfer and Chanel, as well as being a trustee of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust. She previously served on the board of Channel 4.<ref name=bottomline/><ref name="Leighton2011">{{cite book|author=Allan Leighton|title=Tough Calls: Making the right decisions in challenging times|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cej6XivY86QC&pg=PT192|date=22 September 2011|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-1-4464-7304-7|page=192}}</ref>
She entered the House of Lords as a crossbencher on 26 March 2013, becoming its youngest female member;<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21937193 | work=BBC News | title=Digital boss Martha Lane Fox joins House of Lords | date=26 March 2013}}</ref> she was appointed Chancellor of the Open University on 12 March 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.open.ac.uk/media/fullstory.aspx?id=27099 |title=Martha Lane Fox appointed as Chancellor of The Open University |publisher=.open.ac.uk |date=12 March 2014 |access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref> In October 2019, she was named by media and marketing publication ''The Drum'' as the most influential woman in Britain's digital sector from the past quarter of a century.<ref name="thedrum.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2019/10/10/martha-lane-fox-named-most-influential-woman-digital-over-the-last-25-years|title=Martha Lane Fox named most influential woman in digital over the last 25 years|date=10 October 2019|website=The Drum|language=en|access-date=13 October 2019}}</ref>
== Education and early life == Born in London, Lane Fox is the daughter of classicist, ancient historian from Oxford University and gardening correspondent of the Financial Times, Robin Lane Fox,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.new.ox.ac.uk/emeritus-honorary-and-wykeham-fellows|title=Emeritus, Honorary and Wykeham Fellows {{!}} New College|website=www.new.ox.ac.uk|access-date=4 April 2019}}</ref> the scion of an English landed gentry family seated at Bramham Park. She was privately educated at Oxford High School, an all-girls school in Oxford, and at Westminster School in London with a coeducational sixth form. She studied Ancient and Modern History at the University of Oxford where she was an undergraduate student of Magdalen College, Oxford graduating with a lower second class honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree; as per tradition, her BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA) degree.<ref name=did>{{cite web|title=Desert Island Discs, BBC|year= 2004|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009371t}}</ref>
== Career == Lane Fox joined information technology and media consulting firm Spectrum,<ref name=bottomline>{{cite web|first=Evan|last=Davis|year=2024|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001zg5x|website=bbc.co.uk|title=The Decisions That Made Me A Leader: Lastminute.com's Martha Lane Fox|quote=“Being good at anything is asking good questions”}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=23 November 2003|title=The Observer profile: Martha Lane Fox|url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2003/nov/23/media.newmedia|access-date=19 May 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> where she met Brent Hoberman. In 1998, Lane Fox and Hoberman founded Last Minute, an online travel and gift business.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Martha Lane Fox|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/martha-lane-fox/|access-date=19 May 2021|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref> She stepped down as managing director in 2003. Last Minute was bought by Sabre Holdings in 2005.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pesola|first=Maija|title=Sabre agrees to buy Lastminute for £577m|newspaper=FT.com|date=11 May 2005|url=https://www.ft.com/content/88af786c-c222-11d9-866a-00000e2511c8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105094656/https://www.ft.com/content/88af786c-c222-11d9-866a-00000e2511c8|archive-date=5 November 2016|url-access=subscription|access-date=30 January 2012|url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:Martha & Robin Lane-Fox.jpg|thumb|right|Lady Lane-Fox with her father Robin Lane Fox, 2013]]
Following her departure from Last Minute, Lane Fox was tipped to take over day-to-day operations at Selfridges but was involved in a car accident before she could assume that role.<ref name= "EKing">{{Cite web|title=Martha The internet boom star turned digital activist: Martha Lane Fox|url=http://thegentlewoman.co.uk/#/library/martha-lane-fox|first=Emily|last=King|publisher=The Gentlewoman|year=2012|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref> At the suggestion of advertising executive Julian Douglas, Fox teamed up with Nick Thistleton to launch karaoke company Lucky Voice.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lucky Voice Online Karaoke|url=https://www.luckyvoicekaraoke.com/|access-date=24 February 2021|website=www.luckyvoicekaraoke.com|language=en}}</ref> In 2007, Lane Fox joined the board of Marks & Spencer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What next for M&S?|url=https://moneyweek.com/31687/what-next-for-ms|access-date=26 May 2021|website=MoneyWeek|date=13 June 2007 |language=en}}</ref>
From 2009 to 2013, she was the Digital Champion for the UK and helped to create the Government Digital Service – this team launched gov.uk, and was given the task of spearheading a two-year campaign to improve computer literacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://raceonline2012.org/ |title=About us |publisher=Race Online 2012 |access-date=24 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8102756.stm |title=Tax to pay for fast net access |work=BBC News |date=16 June 2009 |access-date=24 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Maggie | title = Martha Lane Fox – what she'll do as the UK's digital inclusion champion | newspaper = The Guardian | date = 16 July 2009 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jun/16/martha-lane-fox-digital-inclusion-champion | access-date = 30 August 2009 | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10575266 |title=UK digital champion, Martha Lane Fox, wants to get everyone of working age online by 2012 |work=BBC News |date=12 July 2010 |access-date=12 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8187305.stm |title=The internet's conscientious objectors |work=BBC News |date=6 August 2009 |access-date=24 November 2009}}</ref> The following year she was assigned to establish the Digital Public Services Unit within the Cabinet Office. <ref>{{cite news | last = Thomson | first = Rebecca | title = Gordon Brown turns his focus to digital economy | work = Computer Weekly | date = 22 March 2010 | url=http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2010/03/22/240679/gordon-brown-turns-his-focus-to-digital-economy.htm | access-date = 22 March 2010 }}</ref> and invited to sit on the Cabinet Office Efficiency and Reform Board.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/martha-lane-fox-appointed-uk-digital-champion|title=Martha Lane Fox appointed UK Digital Champion|publisher=Inside Government|date=18 June 2010 |access-date=18 June 2013}}</ref> The following month Lane Fox was honoured by David Cameron for her "Manifesto for a Networked Nation", a challenge to increase British internet engagement.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} She resigned from her position as Digital Champion in late 2013.<ref name="Computer World">{{cite web|last1=Nguyen|first1=Anh|title=UK digital champion Martha Lane Fox quits|url=http://www.computerworlduk.com/news/careers/3491547/uk-digital-champion-martha-lane-fox-quits/?intcmp=in_article;related|website=Computerworld UK|publisher=IDG Inc|access-date=12 June 2014|date=29 November 2013}}</ref>
She entered the House of Lords as a crossbencher on 26 March 2013, becoming its youngest female member.<ref name="BBC News"/> In her maiden speech, she addressed the need for digital literacy in all sectors of the economy.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lane Fox|first1=Martha|title=h Anniversary of the World Wide Web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201314/ldhansrd/text/140116-0002.htm#st_128|website=www.parliament.uk|publisher=Daily Hansard|access-date=12 June 2014}}</ref> That same year the Open University appointed her as its Chancellor.<ref name="Lane Fox Chancellor of OU">{{cite web|last1=Nguyen|first1=Anh|title=Open University Appoints Martha Lane Fox as Chancellor|url=http://www.computerworlduk.com/news/careers/3506680/open-university-appoints-martha-lane-fox-as-chancellor/?intcmp=in_article;related|website=ComputerWorld UK|publisher=IDG Inc|access-date=12 June 2014}}</ref> She is stepping down from this position in 2026.<ref>The Open University, [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/marthalanefox_best-job-ever-thank-you-the-open-university-activity-7389758514513993730-4oUR/ Linked-In post and video], accessed on 27 April 2026</ref> In the run-up to the Scottish independence referendum of 2014, Lane Fox signed an open letter opposing Scottish independence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |title=Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories |work=The Guardian |date=7 August 2014 |access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref>
In 2017, Lady Lane-Fox was appointed a member of the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baroness Martha Lane Fox of Soho |url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/4275/career |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=UK Parliament}}</ref> In 2018, she was appointed Non-Executive Director of Chanel as well as Donmar Warehouse and a Trustee of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Martha Lane Fox (Chair) |url=https://www.womensprize.com/judges/martha-lane-fox-chair/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Women's Prize |language=en-US}}</ref> Lane Fox continues to be a Patron of AbilityNet, Reprieve, Camfed and Just for Kids Law.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 November 2013|title=Martha Lane Fox, a 'force of nature' to get Britons online|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/nov/13/martha-lane-fox-britons-online-lastminute-com|access-date=2 June 2021|work=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> She was on the board of social networking company Twitter, Inc. from June 2016 until its takeover by Elon Musk in October 2022.<ref name=bottomline/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35996560|title=Martha Lane Fox to join Twitter board|work=BBC News|date=8 April 2016|language=en-GB|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63458380|title=Elon Musk dissolves Twitter's board of directors|work=BBC News|date=31 October 2022|language=en-GB|access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref> In 2020, Lane Fox was appointed to the board of directors of the company WeTransfer.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Aziz|first=Afdhel|title=WeTransfer Announces It Is Becoming A B-Corp|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/afdhelaziz/2020/06/10/wetransfer-announces-it-is-becoming-a-b-corp/|access-date=2 June 2021|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref> She was appointed president of the British Chambers of Commerce in October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isaac |first=Anna |date=8 October 2023 |title='Our CEO has chancellors on speed-dial': Martha Lane Fox, British Chambers of Commerce president |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/oct/08/our-ceo-has-chancellors-on-speed-dial-martha-lane-fox-british-chambers-of-commerce-president |work=The Observer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/news/2022/10/baroness-martha-lane-fox-cbe-elected-president-of-the-british-chambers-of-commerce/ |title=Baroness Martha Lane-Fox CBE elected President of the British Chambers of Commerce |date=12 October 2022 |publisher=British Chambers of Commerce}}</ref> In November 2024, Lane-Fox joined the board of Multiverse, a British apprenticeships company co-founded and led by Euan Blair.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Armitage |first=Jim |date=10 November 2024 |title=Euan Blair on his $2bn business, AI and apprenticeships |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/euan-blair-on-his-2bn-business-ai-and-apprenticeships-skz9bp2mq |work=The Sunday Times}}</ref>
=== Charity work === Lady Lane-Fox is an advocate for such causes as human rights, women's rights, and social justice. In 2007, she founded Antigone,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marthalanefox.com/antigone |title=Antigone |publisher=Antigone |access-date=13 March 2012 |archive-date=10 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210162427/http://www.marthalanefox.com/antigone |url-status=dead }}</ref> a grant-making trust to support charities based in the United Kingdom. She is a patron of Reprieve, a legal action charity,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Baroness (Martha) Lane-Fox of Soho|url=https://reprieve.org/uk/person/baroness-martha-lane-fox/|access-date=10 June 2021|website=Reprieve|language=en-GB}}</ref> and CAMFED, an organization dedicated to fighting poverty, HIV, and AIDS in rural Africa through an emphasis on education of young women.<ref>[http://uk.camfed.org/news/2005/12/25/camfed-on-bbc-radio-4-this-christmas-day/ Camfed on BBC Radio 4 this Christmas Day] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007223705/http://uk.camfed.org/news/2005/12/25/camfed-on-bbc-radio-4-this-christmas-day/ |date=7 October 2008 }} at Camfed</ref> She is also patron of the charity Just for Kids Law, which supports children and young people in London, as well as fighting for wider reform on behalf of young people across the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://justforkidslaw.org/martha-lane-fox/|title=Just For Kids Law {{!}} Martha Lane Fox|language=en|access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref>
When the telecommunications company Orange withdrew its longstanding support for the Orange Prize, Lane Fox was one of several benefactors, along with Cherie Blair and Joanna Trollope, who offered to sustain the contest until another major sponsor could be found.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/oct/08/orange-prize-private-donors-sponsor?CMP=EMCNEWEML1355 | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Claire | last=Armitstead | title=Orange prize saved by private donors after organisers fail to find sponsor | date=8 October 2012}}</ref>
=== Honours and awards === Lane Fox was appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for "services to the digital economy and charity".<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=60367 |date=29 December 2012 |page=7 |supp=y}}</ref> In February 2013 she was assessed to be one of the 100 most powerful women in the United Kingdom by Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3J92brPmK0hskzhpTV3CrZ0/the-power-list-2013|title=BBC Radio 4 – Woman's Hour – The Power List 2013|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=4 April 2019}}</ref> In the same month it was announced that she was to be created a life peer to sit as a crossbencher in the House of Lords.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2013/february/lords-new-peers/| title = House of Lords, Official Website – New peers announced| access-date = 27 February 2013}}</ref> She was also recognized as one of the BBC's 100 women of 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-10-20 |title=100 Women: Who took part? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24579511 |access-date=2022-12-18}}</ref>
On 25 March 2013, she was created a Life Peer as Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho, ''of Soho in the City of Westminster'',<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=60461 |date=27 March 2013 |page=6072}}</ref> and was introduced in the House of Lords the next day.<ref name="title">{{cite news |publisher=UK Parliament |title=Introduction of Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho and Lord Berkeley of Knighton |url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2013/march/lords-new-peers/ |date=26 March 2013 |access-date=26 October 2016}}</ref> On 29 October 2015, Lane Fox was ranked 15th on the Richtopia list of 100 Most Influential British Entrepreneurs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/news/40996|title=Influential Brits combine both fame & fortune|work=Business Matters|date=8 May 2016|access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://richtopia.com/inspirational-people/100-influential-british-entrepreneurs|title=British Entrepreneurs Top 100: From Lord Sugar to Victoria Beckham, These Are the Most Influential Entrepreneurs in the UK|work=Richtopia|access-date=19 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609191820/http://richtopia.com/inspirational-people/100-influential-british-entrepreneurs|archive-date=9 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2016, Lane Fox was elected a Distinguished Fellow of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, after being nominated by The Duke of Kent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wearetechwomen.com/dame-wendy-hall-and-baroness-martha-lane-fox-made-distinguished-fellows-by-bcs/|title=Dame Wendy Hall and Baroness Martha Lane-Fox made Distinguished Fellows by BCS|work=wearetechwomen.com|date=15 February 2016}}</ref>{{refn|group=nb| ''Burke's Peerage & Baronetage'': '''LANE-FOX OF SOHO, LP'''
"Arms: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ermine a chevron between three foxes' heads erased gules (for FOX); 2nd and 3rd, argent a lion rampant gules within a bordure sable on a canton azure a harp and crown or (for LANE).
Motto: Faire sans dire (Actions not words).
Creation: Baroness (Life Peer, United Kingdom) 25 March 2013.
MARTHA LANE FOX, BARONESS LANE-FOX, created a Life Peer as Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho, in the City of Westminster 2013, CBE (2013) (The Rt Hon The Baroness Lane-Fox CBE, House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW), founder and Chairwoman of Doteveryone.org.uk 2015–, co-founder of Lastminute.com (MD 2000–03), non-executive director of Marks & Spencer plc 2007–16, Director of Twitter Inc 2016–, Chancellor of The Open University 2014–, Trustee of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust 2018–, born at London 10 February 1973, educated at Oxford High School, Westminster School, and Magdalen College Oxford (MA), DFBCS (2016).
Lineage of LANE-FOX: (see BLG 1965 LANE-FOX of Bramham Park)"}}
In October 2019, Lane Fox was named by media and marketing publication ''The Drum'', in association with the Futures Network, Innovate Her and WACL, as the most influential woman in Britain's digital sector from the past quarter of a century.<ref name="thedrum.com"/> She was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2023.<ref name="NF23">{{cite web |title=Royal Academy of Engineering welcomes 73 new Fellows |url=https://raeng.org.uk/news/royal-academy-of-engineering-welcomes-73-new-fellows |access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref>
=== Arms === {{Infobox COA wide |image = Coat of Arms of Martha Lane Fox, Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho, CBE.svg |image size = |notes = Style: '''The Lady Lane-Fox of Soho''' <br />Shield: displayed on a lozenge |year_adopted = 2013 |coronet = 35px Coronet of a baroness |escutcheon = '''''Quarterly''''': ''1st and 4th'' Ermine a Chevron between three Foxes' Heads erased Gules (Fox); ''2nd and 3rd'' Argent a Lion rampant Gules with a Bordure Sable and on a Canton Azure a Harp and Crown Or (Lane). |supporters = |crest = ''Not applicable'' |orders = The Order of the British Empire circlet.<br />'''FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE''' |badge = |motto = "''Faire sans dire''" |symbolism = }}
== Personal life == Lane Fox lives in Marylebone, London, with her partner Chris Gorell Barnes.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6719060.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612220157/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6719060.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 June 2011 | work=The Times | location=London | title=Martha Lane Fox back | first=James | last=Ashton | date=19 July 2009 | access-date=12 May 2010}}</ref><ref name= "EKing"/> Their identical twin sons, Milo and Felix, were born in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/05/lastminutecom-founder-martha-lane-fox-becomes-mother-12-years-af/|title=Lastminute.com founder Martha Lane Fox becomes mother 12 years after devastating car crash|last=Bodkin|first=Henry|date=5 June 2016|work=The Telegraph|access-date=4 April 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In May 2004, she was severely injured in a car accident in the tourist resort of Essaouira in Morocco and was flown to England for treatment at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, and later Wellington Hospital in London. She was discharged from hospital in December 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 October 2011|title=Lane Fox describes agonising recovery from crash injuries|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/lane-fox-describes-agonising-recovery-from-crash-injuries-492564.html|access-date=19 May 2021|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref>
== See also == * Lane Fox family * Fox family * Felicity Lane-Fox, Baroness Lane-Fox
===Further reading=== * ''Burke's Landed Gentry'' (1965 Edn): LANE FOX of Bramham Park
==Notes== {{reflist|group=nb}}
== References == {{reflist}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lane Fox of Soho, Martha Lane Fox, Baroness}} Category:1973 births Category:Living people Martha Category:People educated at Oxford High School, England Category:People educated at Westminster School, London Category:Alumni of Magdalen College, Oxford Category:Crossbench life peers Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Category:Life peeresses created by Elizabeth II Category:Life peers created by Elizabeth II Category:20th-century English businesspeople Category:21st-century English businesspeople Category:Directors of Twitter, Inc. Category:Fellows of the British Computer Society Category:Honorary Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering Category:Female fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering Category:Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering Category:20th-century English businesswomen Category:21st-century English businesswomen Category:Peers recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission Category:Chancellors of the Open University