Heywood Family Genealogy & History

Suzanne Elizabeth Heywood, Baroness Heywood of Whitehall, is a prominent British executive and former civil servant, renowned for her leadership roles at Exor Group, CNH Industrial, and Iveco Group. She was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Exor Group in 2022 and has been the chair of CNH Industrial since 2018. Her career began at HM Treasury, followed by a successful tenure at McKinsey & Company, where she became a senior partner. Heywood’s contributions to business leadership were recognized with a CBE in the 2024 Birthday Honours.

Suzanne Heywood was born Suzanne Cook in Southampton, England, to teachers Gordon Cook and Mary Brindley. Her childhood was marked by a decade-long global sailing voyage with her family, retracing Captain Cook's routes. Her upbringing was challenging, with strained family relationships. Despite obstacles, she excelled academically, eventually studying at Somerville College, Oxford, and King's College, Cambridge.

Neil Heywood was an influential English businessman and consultant, known for bridging Western companies with China's political elite. As the head of Heywood Boddington Associates, he facilitated UK business interests in China, notably working with prestigious brands like Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce. Fluent in Chinese, Heywood was deeply involved with high-profile figures like Bo Xilai and Gu Kailai, playing a significant role in their business dealings. His involvement with these figures led to his untimely death in 2011, which sparked a major political scandal in China.

Neil Heywood was the great-grandson of John Barr Affleck, Britain's Consul General in Tianjin from 1935 to 1938. He was married to Wang Lulu, with whom he had two children, George and Olivia, living in Beijing.

Anne Heywood, born Violet Joan Pretty, was a celebrated British film actress renowned for her Golden Globe-nominated role in the 1967 film adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's "The Fox." Her career highlights include starring roles in films like "Violent Playground" (1958), "The Heart of a Man" (1959), and "The Nun of Monza" (1969). Heywood's collaboration with producer and husband Raymond Stross led to notable films such as "A Terrible Beauty" (1960) and the controversial yet successful "The Fox." Despite a decline in the 1980s, her legacy remains influential in British cinema.

Anne Heywood was born to Harold James and Edna Elizabeth (née Lowndes) Pretty in Handsworth, Birmingham. Further details about her family origins are not specified in the source text.

Jeremy John Heywood, Baron Heywood of Whitehall, was a distinguished British civil servant, most notably serving as Cabinet Secretary under Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May from 2012 to 2018 and as Head of the Home Civil Service from 2014 to 2018. His career included roles such as Principal Private Secretary to Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and Downing Street Chief of Staff. Heywood's expertise in economic and domestic policy was instrumental during pivotal moments like Black Wednesday and the Iraq War discussions. He was knighted in 2012 and received a life peerage shortly before his death in 2018.

Jeremy Heywood was born in Glossop, Derbyshire, to parents Peter Heywood and Brenda Swinbank, both educators who met while teaching at Ackworth School, a Quaker institution in West Yorkshire. His father taught English at Bootham School in York, where Heywood received his early education. This Quaker educational background influenced his formative years, shaping his values and career path.