Robert Andrew Burns

Sir Robert Andrew Burns KCMG (born 21 July 1943) is a former diplomat in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Sir Andrew Burns KCMG
United Kingdom Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues
In office June 2010 – September 2015
Prime Minister	David Cameron
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Eric Pickles
British High Commissioner to Canada
In office 2000–2003
Preceded by	Anthony Goodenough
Succeeded by	David Reddaway
British Consuls-General to Hong Kong
In office November 1997 – June 2000
Preceded by	Francis Cornish
Succeeded by	James Hodge
British Ambassador to Israel
In office 1992–1995
Preceded by	Mark Elliott
Succeeded by	Sir David Manning
Personal details
Born	Robert Andrew Burns 21 July 1943 England
Education	Highgate School
Alma mater	Trinity College, Cambridge (MA)

Early life

Sir Andrew was born on 21 July 1943 and educated at Highgate School.[1] He graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge with a Master of Arts (MA).[2]

Diplomatic career

Sir Andrew served with the Diplomatic Service between 1965 and 2003, beginning his career as an Urdu and Hindi speaker at the British High Commission in New Delhi in the 1960s.[3] Serving in New Delhi between 1967 and 1971, the later returned to London where he served as the United Kingdom's Delegate to the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe between 1975 and 1981.[2] He later became Head of South Asia Department between 1986 and 1988.[3]

He held the office of Ambassador to Israel between 1992 and 1995.[4] He was later appointed as British Consul-General to Hong Kong and Macau, serving between 1997 and 2000.[5] He then became British High Commissioner to Canada, serving from 2000 to 2003.[3]

Subsequent career

In June 2005 Sir Andrew was appointed to the BBC's Board of Governors as International Governor, replacing Dame Pauline Neville-Jones.[5]

In June 2010 he was appointed the United Kingdom's first Envoy for post-Holocaust issues.[6] He held this post until September 2015.[7] He was succeeded in the role by Sir Eric Pickles.[8]

He was Chair of Council of Royal Holloway, a constituent college of the University of London.[1] He was appointed to succeed Lady Deech as the chair of the Bar Standards Board from 1 January 2015.[9]

Sir Andrew was also previously Chairman of the China Association between 2008 and 2014 and is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce (RSA).[1]

References

1. (Robert) Andrew BURNS, Debrett's People of Today
2. The International Who's Who 2004, Europa Publications, 2003, page 249
3. Sir Andrew Burns KCMG, Diplomatic Society, Royal Holloway, University of London, 17 March 2013
4. Sir Andrew Burns named as first post-Holocaust envoy, BBC News, 9 June 2010
5. New International Governor appointed, BBC, 8 June 2005
6. United Kingdom Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues, Hansard, Parliament written statements, HC Deb, 9 June 2010, c9WS
7. Sir Andrew Burns, Government of the United Kingdom
8. United Kingdom Special Envoy for post-Holocaust issues The Rt Hon Sir Eric Pickles MP, Government of the United Kingdom
9. Former diplomat to head bar's regulator, Law Gazette, 22 July 2014

External links

• (Robert) Andrew BURNS, Debrett's People of Today