Detta was an Irish-born British businesswoman and Conservative politician, the eldest child of Caoimhin and Margaret (née Prior) O’Cathain; born Margaret Mary Detta O’Cathain, she was educated at Loreto Abbey in Dublin, and Laurel Hill Convent in Limerick, before reading Economics at University College Dublin.
Detta started her career as an economist in Aer Lingus where she met William Ernest John Bishop. She married Bill in 1963, and then her work brought her to the U.K where she divided her time between London and Arundel. Bill died in 2001.
Detta O’Cathain held numerous high-profile business positions during a long and prestigious career.
These included working, in her early career, for the Rootes Motor company and Unigate; she later became the Managing Director of both the Milk Marketing Board and the Barbican Centre. She also held Non-Executive Director positions at Tesco, British Airways, French Bank BNP Paribas, Midland Bank, Channel Four, Sears, Allders and many others.
She was made a life peer as Baroness O’Cathain, of The Barbican in the City of London, on 21 June 1991. She served on a number of committees within the House, including the Constitution Committee and the Economic Affairs Committee. She also sat on the European Union Committee, chairing the Sub-Committee on Internal Market, Infrastructure and Employment. She was selected to chair the House of Lords inquiry into civil use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). She also held posts on the Joint Committee on Human Rights, and the High-Speed Rail Bill Select Committee.
Those who knew Detta will remember her as a cultured woman who loved classical music and art with a formidable intellect, and a deep Christian faith who showed leadership and courage in her professional life.
She is sadly missed by her nephews David Sandford Ward & Robin Ward, niece Jennifer O’Cahan, members of Bill’s family, her Goddaughter – Alexandra Stephenson, and her countless friends and associates who held her in such high esteem and valued her friendship dearly.
