Val Gooding CBE, lay member of the University's Council and Warwick alumna (BA French Studies 1968-71), was awarded the PWC Lifetime Achievement Award at The CBI First Women Awards.

The evening saw the UK's most pioneering businesswomen recognised for their achievements and for the contribution they have made to the broadening of women's opportunities in the world of business.

Val was appointed as BUPA?s Chief Executive in August 1998. She joined BUPA from British Airways in 1996 as Managing Director of the health insurance, hospital, and nursing home businesses.

At British Airways Val held a number of key positions including Director Asia Pacific, and Director of Business Units, overseeing BA?s subsidiary companies.

She is a non-executive director of BAA plc and Compass Group plc and sits on the Council of Warwick University as well as the Advisory Board of the Warwick Business School. She is a Board member of the Association of British Insurers and a member of the leadership team for Opportunity Now. Val was awarded the CBE in the 2002 New Year?s Honours list.

She has served as a lay member of Council since August 2001 and is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Warwick Business School.