Baroness Ashton, formally known as Catherine Ashton, is a British politician and diplomat. She served as the first High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for the European Union from 2009 to 2014. In this role, she was responsible for representing the EU in international affairs and coordinating its foreign policy. Before her appointment, Ashton held various positions in the UK government, including Minister for Trade and Investment. She was also a member of the House of Lords, where she contributed to discussions on various issues. Her work has focused on promoting peace and stability in global relations.