Baroness Rona Fairhead CBE — UK Government Portrait Commission

Baroness Rona Fairhead CBE — UK Government Portrait Commission (Rory Lewis Photographer 2017)

I was commissioned by the UK Government to create an official portrait sitting with Baroness Rona Fairhead CBE, one of Britain’s most accomplished business leaders and public servants. As Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion at the Department for International Trade, Baroness Fairhead played a vital role in shaping the UK’s global commercial strategy, following a distinguished career across media, finance, and international business.

A Leader of Exceptional Influence

Baroness Fairhead has held some of the most senior leadership roles in British public life. She made history as the first woman to serve as Chair of the BBC Trust, overseeing one of the world’s largest and most influential public broadcasters. Prior to that, she served as Chief Executive of the Financial Times Group, guiding one of the most respected global news organisations through periods of major technological and editorial transformation.

Baroness Rona Fairhead CBE — UK Government Portrait Commission (Rory Lewis Photographer 2017)

Her career also spans several major corporate boards, including PepsiCo and HSBC, cementing her reputation as a strategic thinker and a formidable presence in both the private and public sectors.

Photographing a figure of such stature demands not only technical precision, but also a deep understanding of character, legacy, and visual leadership.

Capturing Presence, Authority & Character

For this commission, I travelled to the Department for International Trade in London, arriving with a full portable studio setup. Working within a government conference suite, I built a controlled environment using a neutral grey backdrop and a minimalist lighting arrangement—allowing her natural authority and calm leadership style to take centre stage.

Baroness Fairhead was an exceptional sitter: poised, thoughtful, articulate, and fully engaged in the creative process. We spoke about her role in global trade policy, her experience at the BBC, and the challenges facing modern leadership. These conversations helped guide the direction of the session, ensuring that the resulting portraits reflect the intelligence, confidence, and forward-thinking nature of her work.

A Partnership of Trust and Professionalism

My political and governmental portrait work requires discretion, speed, and the ability to adapt to official environments. I am frequently commissioned by ministers, ambassadors, senior officials, and corporate leaders who need portraits that convey professionalism, authority, and humanity.

This sitting with Baroness Fairhead is one of many UK Government sessions I have delivered, and it remains a standout example of how a well-executed portrait can communicate strength, clarity, and leadership beyond the frame.

Political and Corporate Portrait Photographer — Available Worldwide

Based in Los Angeles, working frequently in London, Washington DC, and New York, I bring museum-level portrait expertise directly to government offices, boardrooms, embassies, and political institutions around the world.

If you require political, corporate, or governmental portraits—whether for leadership teams, official use, press, or editorial—my tailored portrait packages and international availability ensure a seamless, high-quality experience.