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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Mark Brown North of England correspondent

Being born in north-east England gives you grit, says Fiona Hill

Fiona Hill England Kim McGuinness Sara Davies Podcast Lee Hall Peter Straughan United States
Fiona Hill
Fiona Hill: ‘The north-east is home of the Industrial Revolution – literally the engines of prosperity.’ Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg/Getty Images

There is a “resilience and grit” that comes from being born in the north-east of England, says Fiona Hill, who went from a working-class childhood in County Durham to a top intelligence job at the heart of the White House.

But, she believes, it is also a big reason why she and other notable high achievers have had the success they have. The secret of success could be being from the north-east.

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