Personality profile


‘I thought I didn’t stand a chance of getting the job – now I’m custodian of the world’s loveliest castle’


The Victoria Wallace interview by Peter Erlam


'wider Europe'. It was a fascinating job, really interesting." At this stage she realised it was management that she


enjoyed most. "With a family, it was quite complicated moving around the world so I thought a management job, probably in the private sector, would be a more sensible move." The upshot was for four years, from 2000, she ran the magistrates courts throughout Sussex, amalgamating East and West Sussex in the process. But moves to recentralise the courts system nationally made Victoria think again about her future. She explained: "I wanted to do something that had some


VICTORIA Wallace, chief executive of Leeds Castle, was born in Pembury, Tunbridge Wells - at the 'old' hospital. "So," she observes, "I have not really moved very far." Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. She has clocked up thousands of miles during her career, finally ending up at the historic castle. After studying European law, Victoria became a career diplomat for 15 years, which took her to Thailand and Tanzania. "After we came back from Africa I was doing a management job in the Foreign Office looking after all the embassies between Dublin and Kazakhstan - known as


4 Mid Kent Living


tradition, in a heritage environment. At the time I thought I would be a public school bursar. I applied for a whole load of jobs but did not get them. I think it was because I was not an accountant, not public school and too female! "Then I saw the job for Leeds Castle. "Because I thought I stood no chance of getting it I just


relaxed - and I got the job. The interview was held in the castle drawing room. I remember there being nine people on one side of the table and me on the other. I don't think anyone was more surprised than me when I was offered the job."


Above: Good old days - horsepower preparation of the pitch at Leeds Cricket Club’s former ground, now the site of the castle helipad.


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