Venetia read Economics at Trinity College, Cambridge.

She started her career in the early days of the swaps market at Paribas Capital Markets and then in the banking and capital markets team at Baring Brothers. She joined the bank in 1991 and became the first female partner in 1996. A privilege of her job is the fascinating customers she meets and being able to bring them together. 

Venetia is involved in a number of charities with a particular focus on inequality and the environment. She was a founder trustee of Key4Life, which rehabilitates young offenders, and is now a trustee of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust and The Royal Bath and West Society.   

She is married to Hamish Leng with whom she has two grown up children.  Their weekends are spent on a small farm in Somerset growing trees and encouraging wildflowers and biodiversity.  When time allows, she also enjoys riding, travelling and live music.