Manchester-born former corporate lawyer Lauren Ash has been promoted to managing director (global markets) with American financial conglomerate, Citigroup - one of the world's largest banks.

Lauren, 33, a former head girl of King David Junior School, is the daughter of Barbara Pearlman and Hugh Ash, and the eldest grand-daughter of Betty and Allan Silver, of Prestwich.

Educated at Withington Girls' School, Lauren gained a LLB degree at the University of Nottingham, then joined leading City law firm Allen & Overy, before moving to Citigroup six years ago.

Married to international lawyer Matt Morgan, the couple have a three year-old son, Noah, and live in St John's Wood, London.

Proud mum Barbara said: "As everyone knows, it's been a very difficult year for anyone involved in the banking sector, but Lauren has shown it's still possible to succeed, even in times of adversity."

Lauren's two younger brothers are also involved in international big business.

Jonathan, 31, heads a team of fund accountants, working for leading American bank, JP Morgan in Luxembourg, and Alexander, 28, is an executive, based in London, with the international property consultancy, Cushman & Wakefield.

Dad Hugh, a former Fleet Street journalist, has lived and worked in Majorca for more than six years, covering the Balearic Islands for the British media.

He is currently writing his first novel, a thriller about a planned terrorist attack on Spain.