Ivor Roberts (ambassador)
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Sir Ivor Roberts, KCMG (born 1946) is the current President of Trinity College, Oxford and is a former British ambassador to Italy (2003-2006).
Born in Liverpool, Roberts was educated at the University of Oxford (Keble College, now Honorary Fellow), earning a degree in modern languages in 1968 before joining the Foreign Office. In 1992 he became the United Kingdom's first ambassador to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on its recognition as a state. In 1998-99 he took a sabbatical year as Senior Associate Member of St Antony's College, Oxford. Serving as ambassador to Ireland 1999-2003, be became the ambassador to Italy in March 2003.
In 2000 he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG).
On 18 September 2004 he sparked controversy by describing George W Bush as the terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda's "best recruiting sergeant".
On 24 September 2006, The Observer's Pendennis column reported that following his outspoken valedictory report, the Foreign Office has abandoned the centuries-old tradition of allowing departing diplomats to speak their minds.
He is married to a former diplomat of the Australian Foreign Service who lectures and writes on Balkan politics. They have two sons and a daughter.
He was confirmed as the next President of Trinity College, Oxford in May 2005, taking over the position on 20 September 2006. He is the Chairman of the Council of the British School of Archaeolgy and Fine Art in Rome and a Patron of the Venice in Peril Fund. He also chairs the Board of the King's College Group in Madrid and is a Member of the International Advisory Board of the Independent News and Media Group.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- British Embassy, Rome
- New appointments and honours, Oxford Today: the University Magazine 18:1 (Michaelmas 2005), p. 6
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Richardson |
HM Ambassador to Italy 2003-2006 |
Succeeded by Edward Chaplin |
| Preceded by Veronica Sutherland |
UK Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland 1999-2003 |
Succeeded by Stewart Eldon |
| Preceded by New Mission |
HM Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1994-1997 |
Succeeded by Brian Donnelly |
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