Michael Pakenham
 | This article includes alist of references,related reading,orexternal links,but its sources remain unclear because it lacksinline citations.(March 2023) |
Sir Michael Pakenham | |
|---|---|
| Ambassador the United Kingdom to Poland | |
| In office 2001–2003 | |
| Preceded by | John Malcolm Macgregor |
| Succeeded by | Charles Crawford |
| Ambassador the United Kingdom to Luxembourg | |
| In office 1991–1994 | |
| Preceded by | Juliet Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Nick Elam |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Aidan Pakenham 3 November 1943 |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse | Mimi Lavine |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Frank Pakenham, 7th Earl of LongfordandElizabeth Harman |
| Education | Ampleforth College |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
Sir Michael Aidan PakenhamKBECMG(born 3 November 1943) is a British retired diplomat.
Background and education
[edit]Pakenham is the third son ofLabourpoliticianFrank Pakenham, 7th Earl of Longford,andElizabeth Harman.He is the brother ofThomas Pakenham,Lady Antonia FraserandLady Rachel Billington.He was educated atAmpleforth CollegeandTrinity College, Cambridge,and was an exchange fellow atRice University.
Career
[edit]Pakenham was briefly a reporter for theWashington Postbefore joining theForeign Officein 1965. He served inNairobiandWarsawbefore being seconded to theCabinet Office1971–74 as Assistant Private Secretary, then Private Secretary, to theChancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster(Geoffrey RipponthenJohn Davies), who at that time had special responsibilities for the co-ordination of British policy towards theEuropean Communities.
In 1974 Pakenham was at theCSCEin Geneva, then was posted to New Delhi 1974–78 and Washington, D.C. 1978–1983. He was Head of the Arms Control and Disarmament Department at theForeign and Commonwealth Office1983–87; Counsellor (External Relations) to the UKPermanent Representativeto theEuropean Community,Brussels, 1987–91;Ambassador and Consul-General to Luxembourg1991–94; andMinisterin Paris 1994–97.
Pakenham was then seconded to the Cabinet Office again as Deputy Secretary for Defence and Overseas Affairs 1997–99, then Chairman of theJoint Intelligence Committee1997–2000 (alsoIntelligence Co-ordinator1999–2000). Finally, he was posted toWarsawasAmbassador to Poland2001–03. Pakenham was appointed a Companion of theOrder of St Michael and St George(CMG) in 1993 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in theQueen's Birthday Honoursin 2003. He was made aFreeman of the City of Londonin 1992.
Since retiring from the Diplomatic Service, Pakenham has been chairman of Pakenvest International; senior adviser toAccess Industries;non-executive director of theWestminster Group;a trustee ofChevening House;and a lay member of the governing Council ofKing's College London(and its vice-chairman since 2009).
Personal life
[edit] |
Pakenham married Mimi Lavine (born Meta Doak) in 1980; they have two daughters.
References
[edit]- The Hon Sir Michael Pakenham, KBE, CMG,Authorised Biography – Debrett's People of Today
- PAKENHAM, Hon. Sir Michael (Aidan),Who's Who 2012, A & C Black, 2012; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2011
- The Hon Sir Michael Pakenham,King's College, London
- 1943 births
- Living people
- People educated at Ampleforth College
- Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge
- Rice University fellows
- The Washington Post journalists
- Members of HM Diplomatic Service
- Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Luxembourg
- Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Poland
- Fellows of King's College London
- People associated with King's College London
- Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Younger sons of earls
- Pakenham family
- Sons of life peers
- 20th-century British diplomats
- 21st-century British diplomats