Andy Burnham’s wife quits job to focus on supporting husband in ‘unofficial First Lady role’

But after her appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, she has resigned from the firm.

She held meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s wife, Olena, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s spouse, Diana, while at the multinational summit in New York.

A Downing Street spokesman confirmed her resignation as chief customer officer in a statement to The Observer.

"She will continue to serve on the company’s board in an advisory role," a spokesman said.

"The Prime Minister has already recused himself of any decisions relating to EV charging."

Next year, the UK will hold the G20 presidency and the G7 presidency the year after and Mrs Van Heel is said to be keen to familiarise herself with international counterparts.

Marie-France Van Heel and her husband stepping off the plane at the UN General Assembly

PA

She also attended a lunch by the First Lady Melania Trump as part of the Fostering the Future intiative.

Mrs Van Heel also joined her husband at the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the opening of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum.

News of the resignation will reopen the debate around the role of the Prime Minister's spouse.

There is no formal "First Lady" position in the UK, but growing demands on the role have made it harder for partners to continue working full-time.

Marie-France Van Heel met with foreign counterparts while in New York

PA

In the US, the First Lady has its own office, including a Chief of Staff, Communication Director, Operations Director and Policy Director.

Sir Keir Starmer's wife, Victoria, continued her work in occupational health during her husband's premiership, and Cherie Blair continued as a barrister while her husband was in No10.

But David Cameron's wife, Samantha, and Gordon Brown's wife, Sarah, left their jobs and took up part-time or charity work while their husbands were in Downing Street.

Mr Burnham previously admitted his wife "took some persuading" when he told her he wanted to make another run at becoming Prime Minister.

Steve Rotheram, the Liverpool mayor and a friend of the couple, told the Observer Mrs Van Heel was willing to speak her mind and weighed in on her husband's political career on "numerous occasions".

"She tells him how she sees it," he said. "Once he's made his mind up and discussed it with her she's 100 per cent supportive."

Mrs Van Heel has worked for Sky before opening her own marketing firm, MVH, which she dissolved in 2011.

She then became CEO of creative consultancy Heavenly in 2022, then joined Manchester-based charging company Be.EV in 2024.