Robert Balchin, Baron Lingfield
Encyclopedia
Robert Balchin, Lord Lingfield (born 31 July 1942) is a British
educationalist, noted as an advocate for school autonomy. Lord Lingfield serves as Pro-Chancellor
of Brunel University
and Chairman of the Trustees of ARNI. He is also the Chairman of the League of Mercy and a Deputy Lieutenant
of Greater London
. He previously served as Director-General
of St. John Ambulance
from 1984 until 1990. He was chairman of the Grant-Maintained Schools Centre
(formerly Foundation) 1989-99 and has been chairman of the Centre for Education Management (now CEFM) since 1995. Lingfield has also written numerous articles on education and politics. A Freeman of the City of London, he is also a Liveryman
of the Goldsmiths'
and Broderers'
Companies.
In 2006 he was appointed as Knight Principal (Chairman of the Knights' Council) of the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor
. Lingfield was appointed Honorary Colonel of Humberside
and South Yorkshire
ACF
in 2004.
Balchin was created a Life Peer
on 17 December 2010 as Baron Lingfield. Sitting on the Conservative
benches in the House of Lords
, Lord Lingfield's schools initiative has been deemed successful by Daily Telegraph Deputy Editor Benedict Brogan and "first and, as time passes, perhaps the most important legislative milestone achieved by the Coalition".
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
educationalist, noted as an advocate for school autonomy. Lord Lingfield serves as Pro-Chancellor
Pro-Chancellor
A Pro-Chancellor is an officer of some universities in Commonwealth countries. The Pro-Chancellor acts as a deputy to the Chancellor and as practical chairman of the University Council...
of Brunel University
Brunel University
Brunel University is a public research university located in Uxbridge, London, United Kingdom. The university is named after the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel....
and Chairman of the Trustees of ARNI. He is also the Chairman of the League of Mercy and a Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
of Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
. He previously served as Director-General
Director-general
The term director-general is a title given the highest executive officer within a governmental, statutory, NGO, third sector or not-for-profit institution.-European Union:...
of St. John Ambulance
St. John Ambulance
St John Ambulance, branded as St John in some territories, is a common name used by a number of affiliated organisations in different countries dedicated to the teaching and practice of medical first aid and the provision of ambulance services, all of which derive their origins from the St John...
from 1984 until 1990. He was chairman of the Grant-Maintained Schools Centre
Grant-maintained school
Grant-maintained schools were state schools in England and Wales between 1988 and 1998 that had opted out of local government control, being funded directly by a grant from central government...
(formerly Foundation) 1989-99 and has been chairman of the Centre for Education Management (now CEFM) since 1995. Lingfield has also written numerous articles on education and politics. A Freeman of the City of London, he is also a Liveryman
Liveryman
For Livery Companies in the City of London, a Liveryman is a full member of their respective Company.Livery Company members fall into two basic categories: Freemen and Liverymen. One may join as a Freeman, and thereby acquire the "Freedom of the Company", upon fulfilling the Company's criteria...
of the Goldsmiths'
Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company, which has origins in the twelfth century, received a Royal Charter in 1327. It ranks fifth in the order of precedence of Livery Companies. Its motto is Justitia Virtutum Regina, Latin for Justice...
and Broderers'
Worshipful Company of Broderers
The Worshipful Company of Broderers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Broderers were workers in embroidery; the organization of Broderers existed in at least 1376, and was officially incorporated by a Royal Charter in 1561. As the craft of embroidery has lost its importance as a...
Companies.
In 2006 he was appointed as Knight Principal (Chairman of the Knights' Council) of the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor
Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor
The Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor was formed in 1908 and received royal recognition in 1912. Its patron is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It is a registered charity and seeks to uphold the dignity of knight bachelor and the rights of the degree of knighthood at all times, to register...
. Lingfield was appointed Honorary Colonel of Humberside
Humberside
Humberside was a non-metropolitan and ceremonial county in Northern England from 1 April 1974 until 1 April 1996. It was composed of land from either side of the Humber Estuary, created from portions of the East and West ridings of Yorkshire and parts of Lindsey, Lincolnshire...
and South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
ACF
Army Cadet Force
The Army Cadet Force is a British youth organisation that offers progressive training in a multitude of the subjects from military training to adventurous training and first aid, at the same time as promoting achievement, discipline, and good citizenship, to boys and girls aged 12 to 18 and 9...
in 2004.
Balchin 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...
on 17 December 2010 as Baron Lingfield. Sitting on the Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
benches in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
, Lord Lingfield's schools initiative has been deemed successful by Daily Telegraph Deputy Editor Benedict Brogan and "first and, as time passes, perhaps the most important legislative milestone achieved by the Coalition".