Laurence Helsby, Baron Helsby
Encyclopedia
Laurence Norman Helsby, Baron Helsby GCB
KBE
(born 27 April 1908 – died 5 December 1978) was a British civil servant.
in Cumbria, before studying at Keble College, Oxford
. He lectured in economics at the University College of the South West of England (a predecessor institution of the University of Exeter) between 1930 and 1931 and at the University of Durham between 1931 and 1945. In 1946, he joined the Civil Service, initially as an Assistant Secretary in the Treasury
, before becoming Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
, Clement Attlee
, between 1947 and 1950.
After a period working in the Ministry of Food, he was appointed First Civil Service Commissioner
in 1954, transferring in 1959 to become Permanent Secretary
of the Ministry of Labour
. In 1963, he was made joint Permanent Secretary to the Treasury
and Head of the Home Civil Service. He retired in 1968, and was created a life peer
with the title Baron Helsby.
Helsby was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1950, and was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) in 1963; he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1955. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Keble College in 1959, and received honorary degrees from the universities of Exeter and Durham. He died on 5 December 1978.
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
KBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 27 April 1908 – died 5 December 1978) was a British civil servant.
Life
Laurence Norman Helsby was born on 27 April 1908 and educated at Sedbergh SchoolSedbergh School
Sedbergh School is a boarding school in Sedbergh, Cumbria, for boys and girls aged 13 to 18. Nestled in the Howgill Fells, it is known for sporting sides, such as its Rugby Union 1st XV.-Background:...
in Cumbria, before studying at Keble College, Oxford
Keble College, Oxford
Keble College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its main buildings are on Parks Road, opposite the University Museum and the University Parks. The college is bordered to the north by Keble Road, to the south by Museum Road, and to the west by Blackhall...
. He lectured in economics at the University College of the South West of England (a predecessor institution of the University of Exeter) between 1930 and 1931 and at the University of Durham between 1931 and 1945. In 1946, he joined the Civil Service, initially as an Assistant Secretary in the Treasury
HM Treasury
HM Treasury, in full Her Majesty's Treasury, informally The Treasury, is the United Kingdom government department responsible for developing and executing the British government's public finance policy and economic policy...
, before becoming Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
The Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister is a senior official of the British Civil Service who acts as Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The holder of this office was formerly the head of the Prime Minister's Office, during Tony Blair's...
, Clement Attlee
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
, between 1947 and 1950.
After a period working in the Ministry of Food, he was appointed First Civil Service Commissioner
First Civil Service Commissioner
The First Civil Service Commissioner heads the Office of Civil Service Commissioners, which ensures that the Civil Service in the United Kingdom is effective and impartial and that appointments are made on merit, and hears appeals under the Civil Service Code....
in 1954, transferring in 1959 to become Permanent Secretary
Permanent Secretary
The Permanent secretary, in most departments officially titled the permanent under-secretary of state , is the most senior civil servant of a British Government ministry, charged with running the department on a day-to-day basis...
of the Ministry of Labour
Ministry of Labour
The Ministry of Labour was a British civil service department established by the New Ministries and Secretaries Act 1916. It was renamed the Employment Department in 1988, and finally abolished in 1995...
. In 1963, he was made joint Permanent Secretary to the Treasury
Permanent Secretary to the Treasury
The Permanent Secretary to the Treasury is the most senior civil servant at HM Treasury. The post originated as that of Assistant Secretary to the Treasury in 1805; that office was given new duties and renamed in 1867 as a Permanent Secretaryship....
and Head of the Home Civil Service. He retired in 1968, and was created a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
with the title Baron Helsby.
Helsby was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1950, and was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) in 1963; he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1955. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Keble College in 1959, and received honorary degrees from the universities of Exeter and Durham. He died on 5 December 1978.