Beatriz Brown (Br’17), more so known as Bea amongst those closest to her, is no stranger to a good pivot — whether with studies, career, U.K. policies, or planning an inaugural event for the Thouron Alumni Community at large! As the lead for the U.K. Ministry of Justice’s policy team on Civil Justice Strategy and Growth, Bea has had quite the illustrious career and life journey. We at the Thouron Award are incredibly pleased to be a pivotal part in her journey as we are to have Bea amongst the brilliant minds, creators, and leaders who make up our Thouron Alumni Community.
An Early Love of International Adventures and Policy
While Bea grew up in London, she spent a considerable amount of her twenties living in and exploring international cities, such as Berlin, Madrid, New York, and many more. After multiple years working at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Bea returned home to the U.K. where she has since been for nearly five years. It is evident that Bea’s time as a Thouron Scholar added an additional spark to an already intellectually curious and adventurous woman.
“Currently [I’m] studying a policy fellowship at the University of Cambridge as a U.K. government policymaker. My undergraduate and first Masters were in politics and policy at the University of Nottingham and London School of Economics, [respectively]. I then trained for the bar via a law conversion course before my LLM at Penn Law School,” Bea shares.
As a policy strategist, leading a team for the U.K. Ministry of Justice is only one aspect of Bea’s amazing career. She also has led a policy team on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), from inception to the U.K. becoming the first country in the world to legislate against SLAPPs. How did she get her start? One key factor was her fellowship with the Thouron Award program.
An Invaluable Award That Opened Doors & Supported Her Next Career Shift
“I led a millennial career in my twenties, jumping from public relations in Berlin for the European Union to financial services strategy in New York. My choices were driven by a love of cities and curiosity about subcultures rather than career direction,” Bea acknowledges. Though, it was happenstance that led her down the path to law and policy. “One day back in London, I met a judge through volunteering for Streetwise Opera, a music charity that works with unhoused people. Through that conversation I decided I wanted to be a barrister, which meant retraining and ultimately studying for my LLM at Penn Law,” Bea recalls.
When choosing to apply for the Thouron Award the deciding factor for Bea was a values alignment. “I valued its focus on leadership and diplomacy — two skills we need for internationalism to work. The full day interviews at the Chesterfield proved invigorating, from discussing the merits of war and opera to favourite Disney baddies with committee members at lunch. I felt I wanted to be [a] part of the Thouron community,” Bea fondly shares.
During her studies in Philadelphia at Penn Law School, Bea felt her time abroad was made more wonderful due to the generosity of the Thouron family. “The family’s generosity and my peers’ sense of adventure and curiosity meant it exceeded all expectations, and I had many!
“The award strengthened my interest in the U.S. and diplomacy. [My] regular exchanges with fellows on both sides of the Atlantic presented opportunities for insight I wouldn’t otherwise have,” Bea states. In 2018, she graduated with her Master’s in Law from Penn, and the world immediately opened up for her with legal roles…or did it?
The Pivot to Legal Policy
The year 2019 leading into 2020 was a global pivot for all 8+ billion inhabitants on Earth. This held true for Bea as well. “The pandemic lockdown meant I had to pivot again after I missed out on my legal ambition, so I moved into legal policy at the U.K. Ministry of Justice,” Bea explains.
While it might not have been the first direction she had for her legal career, it has been one of great fortune with plenty of challenges to help her grow along the way. “I prefer advocating before ministers than judges and working on structural issues as a policy strategist,” Bea lightly quips.
In addition to her policy lead role with the U.K. Ministry of Justice, she also has additional accomplishments that she is equally proud of. “Firstly, I’m currently the Vice President of my union, the FDA, which represents senior civil servants and government professionals. It affords me a political edge — which I wouldn’t have otherwise given civil service impartiality — due to my participation in the Executive Committee.
“Secondly, I represented the U.K. at the Council of Europe Expert Working Group on the policy I lead (SLAPPs). It’s gratifying to see our final recommendation on SLAPPs on its way to adoption across 46 European Member States,” Bea shares.
Exploring Ways to Incorporate the Arts into Legal Policy
You might be thinking, what does Bea do for fun (though policymaking is quite stimulating!)? Bea also maintains a longtime passion: Theatre. She’s a theatre director and ambassador for her local theatre, Theatre Peckham, wherein Bea curates the fringe theatre festival every spring, called Peckham Fringe. “I’ve volunteered in the arts for a long time, including as a founding trustee for a musical education charity,” Bea details.
What else could she possibly sit upon her plate? Another fellowship achievement! In 2023, Bea completed the Churchill Fellowship in the U.S. which allowed her to research the role of arts in justice reform. “I spoke to art philanthropists, movement lawyers, artists, curators, and NGOs committed to moving away from punitive justice policy. The aim is to apply my learnings in the U.K., possibly through commissioning a theatre festival on justice,” Bea proudly shares.
Anyone else might be exhausted by all the work and achievements Bea has mustered in her journey thus far, but these are characteristics of many of our Thouron Alumni. This leads to an amazing symbiotic relationship amongst our beloved community, and one of the reasons our Scholars and Alumni remain positively impacted by the Thouron Award throughout their lives after graduation.
“It has fostered a sense of community and challenge which I value in both my personal and professional life. I’m routinely struck by my peers’ achievements and care for one another,” Bea states. This is why it should come as no surprise that Bea is leading the charge for our inaugural Thouron Alumni Symposium Weekend, to be held 17-19 January, 2025 at Dartmouth House.
Want to join us at the Thouron Alumni Symposium? Register before 5 January 2025.
The Beginning of a Brilliant New Idea: The Annual Thouron Alumni Symposium
So, how did the Thouron Alumni Symposium come about? Following our 60th Anniversary Celebrations in New York and London, both of which Bea attended, a spark ignited in her that wanted to aid in bringing such delight and dialogue to all our Thouron Alumni.
While attending an interview weekend meeting and learning about new Scholars and their interests, Bea had a chat with Rachel and Rupert Thouron where each fondly reminisced about the 60th Anniversary transatlantic crossing, and the unforgettable seven-day experience.
“Rupert had an idea to extend that experience widely to Thouron Alumni, so I agreed to send through a proposal with that brief in mind. Happily, Rachel and Rupert supported it and I’m now directing the event planning with a brilliant team,” Bea shares. The 60th Anniversary events were very impactful in making this possible, from the Brooklyn ‘60s party to the Cutty Shark formal dinner — all were highlights for Bea, but most importantly the breadth of conversation and spirit of intergenerational exchange is unbeatable.
The theme of the inaugural Thouron Symposium is optimism. With the event kicking off on Friday, 17 January with a welcome reception and light dinner, the main event on Saturday, 18 January will be the talk of London town.
It truly is a Thouron Alumni affair as our keynote speaker is the National Security Advisor to the U.K. Prime Minister, Jonathan Powell, and we have assembled a panel discussion with additional alumni, including Hillary Moore, Daniel Nieh, and Isabel Straw — all highly successful and talented Alumni from the Thouron community. Additionally, during the Alumni weekend there will be excursions, a formal dinner, and farewell meal.
“I can’t wait to interview Jonathan Powell! Jonathan’s extraordinary career is an example of Thouron influence at the highest levels of public life. The organising committee has put together a sparkling array of speakers and I feel it’s a wonderful opportunity to extend fellowship through camaraderie similar to that created on the Queen Mary 2 — [plus], I rarely need an excuse for a black tie,” Bea details.
Don’t worry if you are a Thouron Alumni who cannot make the inaugural event in London. The 2026 Symposium will be held in the U.S. if Bea has anything to do with it! “I’m sure word will spread. One day we’ll elect a Thouron President following a plan cooked up at the Symposium…” she partially quips.
Along with this hope for the future, Bea wants to see the Thouron Award continue to grow and evolve too. “I hope [the inaugural Thouron Symposium in 2025] will become an annual fixture bringing Alumni together. There are fellows who’ve excelled in so many fields — I’d welcome these occasions for us to exchange tales and ambitions. I’d [also] love to see a Thouron podcast one day — there’s a wealth of experience in our network and I’m keen to hear others’ ideas on how we promote it,” she excitedly shares.
Want to join us at the Thouron Alumni Symposium? Register before 5 January 2025.
Imagine Your Future as a Thouron Scholar
Learn more about the Thouron Award — one of the most prestigious and generous academic scholarships in the world, offering funding and cultural exchange between the University of Pennsylvania and U.K. institutions.