IT is a historic private members’ club that since its formation more than 200 years ago, has been chaired by a man.
But the New Club in Edinburgh’s Princes Street has broken with long-standing tradition by appointing its first female chairman.
Vicky Peterkin will this month take over as head of the establishment, whose membership includes eminent names from professions including finance, academia and the law.
Ms Peterkin, from Angus, was formerly the Scottish trustee and vice-chairman of the British Red Cross. She is presently vice-chair of the Scottish board of Home Group.
Her two-year post will see her become the first female member to oversee the club’s management and finance committees and also the first female to act as a figurehead for the club.
Initially founded as an all-male body in 1787, its membership profile has changed over the years and women now form more than 25 per cent of the 2,100 who have joined.
She said of her new role: “I love being a member of the New Club with its sociable atmosphere and the exhilarating views that we enjoy as a result of its wonderful location.
“I am very honoured to be asked to take over the chairmanship. I know it is a big responsibility and I intend to do my very best.”
She becomes chairman after spending two years as one of 16 managers of the New Club who are elected by the members from the membership.
New Club secretary Andrew Campbell added: “It wasn’t the fact that Vicky Peterkin happens to be a female that caused her to be elected, it was simply because she was the best person for the job in the view of the managers. But the fact that she is a female is, from our point of view, excellent. The club may move slowly, but since equality we have seen an uptake in membership.”
Women were first admitted in 1969, when wives of members were able to become associate members, but in those days, both sexes still ate in separate dining rooms.
The first full female members arrived in 2000, and in 2010 the club became fully equal with men and women allowed access to all areas of club.
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