Two new Lords members announced

Beeban Kidron

Beeban Kidron is a film, TV and documentary film director with 30 years' experience. She also has an interest in women’s issues and international development.

Positions held include:

• A British Film Institute governor since April 2011
• Vice chair and co-founder of FILMCLUB charity for children
• Former member of UK Film Council (UKFC 2008-11) board
• Director of BAFTA award-winning films Oranges are Not the Only Fruit and Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason
• Her documentaries include Sex, Death and the Gods looking at temple prostitution in India, and Hookers, Hustlers, Pimps & Their Johns in New York
• Council member of the Institute of Contemporary Art
• Patron of Artangel contemporary art organisation
• Mentor with Skillset’s Guiding Lights scheme for budding filmmakers

Professor Alexander Trees

Veterinary surgeon Professor Alexander Trees recently retired as Professor of Veterinary Parasitology at University of Liverpool where he was Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science.

His experience in academic research and teaching in parasitic diseases spans 30 years and he has published over 140 scientific papers.

He has also researched human, tropical medicine, including river blindness in West Africa.

Positions held include:

• Council member and former president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
• Editor in chief of Veterinary Record
• Chairman at Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh

Next steps

A title has to be agreed and Letters Patent and Writ of Summons documents must be prepared before they become members of the Lords.

• Letters Patent are issued by the Queen and create a life peerage.
• The Writ of Summons accompanies the Letters Patent and calls the member to the House.

Once the new member has had a short introduction ceremony and taken an oath of allegiance they can sit and vote in the House.

Further information

• How members are appointed
• House of Lords Appointments Commission (external link)