 From 1942–44, Nicol was a clerical officer of the Inland Revenue and Inspector of the Admiralty from 1944–48.She was a member of the Co-operative Wholesale Society's Board from 1976–85, as President from 1981.She served as a councillor on Cambridge City Council from 1978–82, and was created a life peer with the title Baroness Nicol, of Newnham in the County of Cambridge on 20 January 1983.