Bob Peirce
Encyclopedia
Robert Nigel Peirce is a British businessman in Los Angeles. Until July 2009 he was a British diplomat, serving as British Consul-General in Los Angeles. He was a key negotiator with China on Hong Kong from the early 1980s through the handover in June 1997. Under the chairmanship of the Right Honorable Christopher Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes, CH, PC, Bob guided the work of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland, http://www.belfast.org.uk/ whose seminal report provided a vital foundation for peace in Northern Ireland. He has also worked closely with the Police Executive Research Forum
(PERF) to develop links between the UK and US on all aspects of policing policy. In his capacity as Consul-General in Los Angeles, he facilitated the first-ever visit by a serving British Prime Minister to California and strengthened UK-CA cultural and business relations through the creation of BritWeek. http://www.britweek.com He has served as private secretary to three British Foreign Secretaries: Sir Geoffrey Howe, Sir John Major, and Douglas Hurd
.
, in the 1980s and again in the 1990s. From 1993 to 1997, he was the Secretary responsible for Hong Kong's external affairs under Governor Chris Patten. For most of the period from 1979 to 1997, he was directly involved in the negotiations that culminated in the handover of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China on June 30, 1997, and receives a mention in Chris Patten's book, East and West http://www.amazon.com/dp/0812930002 and other books about that period.
, established June 3, 1998 under Chris Patten. The Commission's report A New Beginning: Policing in Northern Ireland http://www.belfast.org.uk/report/fullreport.pdf, released in 1999, was drafted by Bob and formed the basis of policing reforms in Northern Ireland following the 1998 peace agreement. It has been hailed by policing experts around the world as a seminal document for policing in a democratic society as well as a template for policing in divided societies.
(PERF),http://www.policeforum.org/ to develop links between UK and US police departments, resulting in best practice exchanges on all aspects of related policy, from forensic DNA to public order policing.
In August 2006, Bob facilitated the visit by Prime Minister Tony Blair
to California--the first ever visit to the state by a serving British Prime Minister. As part of the visit, Bob instigated the creation of a ground-breaking climate change pact between California and the United Kingdom. The pact was signed by Blair and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
after their participation in a climate change round table with business leaders in Long Beach. The unprecedented agreement between a country and a US state affirms that the UK and California will work together to evaluate and implement market-based mechanisms that spur innovation, share best practices, deepen their understanding of the economics of climate change, collaborate on technology research, and enhance linkages between their scientific communities.
BritWeek
Together with Nigel Lythgoe, President of 19 Entertainment
and Executive Producer of American Idol
, Bob introduced BritWeek http://www.britweek.com to Los Angeles, an annual week of events and celebrations whose collective aim is to strengthen and broaden awareness of the creative, cultural and trade links between Britain and Los Angeles. A promotional film for BritWeek 2008, http://www.britweek.com/video.shtml features Bob, Nigel Lythgoe, Simon Cowell of American Idol, and a number of other prominent Brits commenting on the influence the UK has had on Los Angeles and vice versa, not least in the entertainment arena. Bob continues to chair Brit Week, which is being extended to include San Francisco in 2010.
, Abraxis BioScience
. He advises the company on government and public affairs.
Police Executive Research Forum
The Police Executive Research Forum is a national membership organization of police executives from the largest city, county and state law enforcement agencies, primarily in the United States. The organization is dedicated to improving policing and advancing professionalism through research and...
(PERF) to develop links between the UK and US on all aspects of policing policy. In his capacity as Consul-General in Los Angeles, he facilitated the first-ever visit by a serving British Prime Minister to California and strengthened UK-CA cultural and business relations through the creation of BritWeek. http://www.britweek.com He has served as private secretary to three British Foreign Secretaries: Sir Geoffrey Howe, Sir John Major, and Douglas Hurd
Douglas Hurd
Douglas Richard Hurd, Baron Hurd of Westwell, CH, CBE, PC , is a British Conservative politician and novelist, who served in the governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major between 1979 and his retirement in 1995....
.
Biographical Summary
Bob Peirce (born March 18, 1955) was raised in Somerset, England, where he attended Taunton School. http://www.tauntonschool.co.uk/, and in South Africa. He was educated at St. Catherine's College, Oxford, where he obtained a MA in Modern History, and also studied Chinese at Cambridge University. His parents are Kenneth and Margaret Peirce.Foreign Office Career
After joining the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1977, Bob worked in a number of key positions. He served in Hong Kong (from 1979-80, then as Deputy Political Advisor from 1986-89 and finally as Political Advisor to the Governor from 1993-97), in Peking (1980-83), at the FCO in London (1983-85), and in the Cabinet Office (1985-86). He was Private Secretary to three Secretaries of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs between 1988 and 1990. He served at the UK Mission to the UN from 1990-93, where his work focused on Security Council issues, including Namibia, Cambodia, South Africa, Angola, Yugoslavia, Cyprus and many others. In 1990, he was engaged by the UK's Overseas Development Administration (the predecessor to the Department for International Development) to serve as a consultant to the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, on the organization of the Ugandan State House bureaucracy. Bob was posted to the Royal College of Defense Studies in 1998 until becoming Secretary of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland later that year. He left the Commission in 1999 and became Counselor (Press & Public Affairs) at the British Embassy in Washington, DC. In 2005, he was appointed Consul-General in Los Angeles, with responsibility for a geographical region with a larger population than many countries.Hong Kong
Bob was twice a member of the Government of Hong KongGovernment of Hong Kong
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, commonly the Hong Kong Government, is led by the Chief Executive as Head of the Government, who is also the head of the Hong Kong SAR...
, in the 1980s and again in the 1990s. From 1993 to 1997, he was the Secretary responsible for Hong Kong's external affairs under Governor Chris Patten. For most of the period from 1979 to 1997, he was directly involved in the negotiations that culminated in the handover of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China on June 30, 1997, and receives a mention in Chris Patten's book, East and West http://www.amazon.com/dp/0812930002 and other books about that period.
The Patten Commission
Bob was the Secretary (equivalent to chief executive) of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern IrelandIndependent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland
The Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland was established in 1998 as part of the Belfast Agreement, intended as a major step in the Northern Ireland peace process. Chaired by Conservative politician Chris Patten, it was better known as the Patten Commission. The other members of...
, established June 3, 1998 under Chris Patten. The Commission's report A New Beginning: Policing in Northern Ireland http://www.belfast.org.uk/report/fullreport.pdf, released in 1999, was drafted by Bob and formed the basis of policing reforms in Northern Ireland following the 1998 peace agreement. It has been hailed by policing experts around the world as a seminal document for policing in a democratic society as well as a template for policing in divided societies.
Policing Policy
When serving as head of political and public affairs at the British Embassy in Washington, DC, Bob worked closely with Chuck Wexler, Executive Director of the Police Executive Research ForumPolice Executive Research Forum
The Police Executive Research Forum is a national membership organization of police executives from the largest city, county and state law enforcement agencies, primarily in the United States. The organization is dedicated to improving policing and advancing professionalism through research and...
(PERF),http://www.policeforum.org/ to develop links between UK and US police departments, resulting in best practice exchanges on all aspects of related policy, from forensic DNA to public order policing.
California
Visit by Prime Minister Tony BlairIn August 2006, Bob facilitated the visit by Prime Minister Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
to California--the first ever visit to the state by a serving British Prime Minister. As part of the visit, Bob instigated the creation of a ground-breaking climate change pact between California and the United Kingdom. The pact was signed by Blair and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
after their participation in a climate change round table with business leaders in Long Beach. The unprecedented agreement between a country and a US state affirms that the UK and California will work together to evaluate and implement market-based mechanisms that spur innovation, share best practices, deepen their understanding of the economics of climate change, collaborate on technology research, and enhance linkages between their scientific communities.
BritWeek
Together with Nigel Lythgoe, President of 19 Entertainment
19 Entertainment
19 Entertainment, based in Los Angeles, United States, is a creator and producer of entertainment properties based around the areas of Music and Television / Film, including American Idol in the United States, Pop Idol in the United Kingdom as well as versions of the Idol series in more than...
and Executive Producer of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
, Bob introduced BritWeek http://www.britweek.com to Los Angeles, an annual week of events and celebrations whose collective aim is to strengthen and broaden awareness of the creative, cultural and trade links between Britain and Los Angeles. A promotional film for BritWeek 2008, http://www.britweek.com/video.shtml features Bob, Nigel Lythgoe, Simon Cowell of American Idol, and a number of other prominent Brits commenting on the influence the UK has had on Los Angeles and vice versa, not least in the entertainment arena. Bob continues to chair Brit Week, which is being extended to include San Francisco in 2010.
Business Career
In September 2009, Bob joined a company headed by Los Angeles billionaire Dr. Patrick Soon-ShiongPatrick Soon-Shiong
Patrick Soon-Shiong is a South African-American surgeon who was founder, chairman, and CEO of Abraxis BioScience, a biotechnology company developing cancer treatment. He is co-developer of the metastatic breast cancer treatment drug Abraxane....
, Abraxis BioScience
Abraxis BioScience
Abraxis BioScience is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to meeting the needs of critically ill patients, with over 2000 employees worldwide.-Description:...
. He advises the company on government and public affairs.