James Allan (diplomat)

James Nicholas Allan CMG CBE (born 22 May 1932) is a former British diplomat, High Commissioner in Mauritius (1981-1985) and ambassador to Mozambique (1986–1989).

[edit] Background

Allan is the son of Morris Edward Allan and Joan Bach, and is a half-brother of Lord Bach.

Allan was educated at Gresham's School, Holt, Norfolk, from 1946 to 1950, and at the London School of Economics from 1953 to 1956.

1950-1953: National Service
1953-1956: London School of Economics
1956-1958: Assistant Principal, Commonwealth Relations Office, London
1958-1959: Third Secretary and Second Secretary, British High Commission to South Africa
1959-1961: Private Secretary to Parliamentary Under-Secretary
1961-1964: First Secretary, British High Commission to Sierra Leone
1964: British High Commission to Cyprus
1964-1968: Commonwealth Relations Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London
1969-1971: Head of Chancery, British Embassy to China
1971-1973: Head of Chancery, British Embassy to Luxembourg
1973-1975: Counsellor in Northern Ireland Office, Belfast
1976-1977: Counsellor, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London
1978-1979: Head of Overseas Information Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London
December 1979 to March 1980: Governor's Staff, Salisbury, Rhodesia
1980-1981: Head of Overseas Information Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London
1981-1985: High Commissioner in Mauritius
1984-1985: (simultaneously) Ambassador to the Comoro Islands
1986-1989: Ambassador to Mozambique
1989-1992: Senior Directing Staff, Royal College of Defence Studies, London

In 1961, Allan married Helena Susara Crouse. They had one son and one daughter. Mrs Allan died in 2001.

He is a member of the Athenaeum Club, London.