Helen Fraser

Dame Helen Jean Sutherland Fraser, (born 8 June 1949) is a British executive and publisher. From 2010 to 2016, she was the chief executive officer of the Girls' Day School Trust. She previously worked in publishing, and was an editor then managing director at a number of publishers including Heinemann and Penguin UK.

Early life and education Fraser was born on 8 June 1949. Her father was George Sutherland Fraser, the poet and literary critic. She studied English language and literature at St Anne's College, Oxford, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1970; as per tradition, her BA was later promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Oxon) degree.

Career After graduating from university in 1970, Fraser spent nine months teaching English in Paris, France. She then went travelling in Southeast Asia with the money she had earned teaching. In 1974, she left Methuen to start an independent publishing company with two colleagues: it was called Open Books, specialised in academic works, and was funded by Mitchell Beazley. She was succeeded as CEO by Cheryl Giovannoni.

Personal life On 15 April 1982, Fraser married Grant James McIntyre.

Honours In the 2010 New Year Honours, Fraser was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) "for services to the publishing industry". On 14 July 2010, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree by the University of Bristol. In the 2017 New Year Honours, she was promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for "services to education", thereby granting her the title dame.