- published: 22 May 2016
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Carolyn Julie Fairbairn (born 13 December 1960) is a British businesswoman, Director General of the Confederation of British Industry and former non-executive director of the Competition and Markets Authority, Lloyds Banking Group and the UK Statistics Authority.
Fairbairn graduated with a BA in Economics (Double First) from Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, then an MA in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by an MBA from INSEAD in France.
She began her career as an economist at the World Bank. In 1985 she became a business and financial journalist, writing for The Economist magazine.
In 1988 she joined McKinsey & Company as a management consultant, and during a seven year career rose to partner. She worked with companies in sectors including brewing, DIY retailing, computer services, investment management and newspapers, advising on mergers, business expansion, cost control and global competitiveness. In 1995 she joined the Downing Street Policy Unit under Prime Minister John Major, developing policy for health and social services.