Patrons
Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill
Elizabeth Smith, Baroness of Gilmorehill, was created a life peer of Gilmorehill, a district of Glasgow, in 1995 following the death of her husband, Rt Hon John Smith M.P. who was the Leader of the Labour Party at the time of his early death at the age of 55.
In the 1960s, Baroness Smith was an undergraduate studying Russian at Glasgow University, and subsequently worked for Sir Fitzroy Maclean at The Great Britain - USSR Association. These experiences fostered her life time interest in the (then) USSR, and are reflected in her current positions as Member of the Advisory Council of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce; Vice-Chair of the UK-Russia group in Parliament; a founding member and Vice-Chair of the UK-Russia Round Table and a trustee of the Mariinsky Theatre.
Baroness Smith also has a keen interest in culture and the arts and is the President of Scotland's National Opera Company, Scottish Opera as well as being Chairman of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In more recent times, the Baroness's main interest has been with the John Smith Memorial Trust. Set up to honour the memory of her husband and the ideals he stood for.
We are pleased to welcome Baroness Smith as Patron of AFA.
Magne Furuholmen
The AFA are delighted to welcome Magne Furuholmen as our new Patron. Magne was diagnosed with AF some 10years ago but has continued to live a full life writing and touring with the hugely successful 'a-ha'. We will shortly have details of our interview with Magne available on this website.