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).

Background

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

Education

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

Career

*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

Family

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

Honours

*Commander of the Order of the British Empire, 1976
*Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, 1989

Club

He is a member of the Athenaeum Club, London.

References

*"Who's Who 2003" (A. & C. Black, London, 2003) page 27
*"Old Greshamian Club Address Book 1999" page 24