Sir Ivor Roberts, KCMG (b. 1946) is President of Trinity College, Oxford and was formerly British ambassador to Yugoslavia, Ireland, and Italy.
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 Dr Elizabeth Roberts, née Smith, 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 at 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.
Book
- Sir Ivor edited the sixth edition of SATOW’S DIPLOMATIC PRACTICE, originally written in 1917 by Sir Ernest Satow and widely used in embassies throughout the world, 730pp., published by Oxford University Press in 2009. (ISBN 978-0-19-9559275) It was reviewed by Sir Jeremy Greenstock in the London Times (October 28, 2009).
See also
External links
- British Embassy, Rome
- New appointments and honours, Oxford Today: the University Magazine 18:1 (Michaelmas 2005), p. 6
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Shepherd |
HM Ambassador to Italy 2003-2006 |
Succeeded by Edward Chaplin |
| Preceded by Veronica Sutherland |
UK Ambassador to 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 |
| Academic offices | ||
| Preceded by Michael Beloff |
President of Trinity College, Oxford 2006– |
Succeeded by incumbent |
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