Roderic Lyne
Encyclopedia
Sir Roderic Michael John Lyne KCMG (born 31 March 1948) is a former British diplomat
who served as British Ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2000 to 2004.
officer who flew Spitfires in World War II
, Lyne refused to go to Marlborough College
because "there were no doors on the lavatories" but instead attended Eton College
on a bursary. He went on to read history at Leeds University, which he says was the only university to offer him an interview, on account of his poor A-level grades. Nevertheless, he was a good undergraduate student.
(FCO) in 1970, and went to study at the Army School of Languages in 1971. His first posting was as Third Secretary to Moscow
in 1972. He was sent to Dakar
in 1974 and returned to the FCO in 1976. He was appointed Assistant Private Secretary
to Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington in 1979. Lyne was posted as First Secretary
to UKMIS New York
in 1982 where he served until 1986, when he was seconded to Chatham House
in London
. From 1987 to 1990 he was Counsellor and Head of Chancery at the British Embassy in Moscow.
Between 1990 and 1993 Lyne was Head of the Soviet and then Eastern Department of the FCO. For three years from 1993, Rod Lyne was seconded to 10 Downing Street
as Private Secretary
to Prime Minister
John Major
, advising on foreign affairs, defence and Northern Ireland
. From 1997 to 2000 Lyne served as Permanent Representative, UKMIS Geneva
before finishing his diplomatic career as HM Ambassador to Russia
.
On his London postings, he usually commuted to Whitehall
by bicycle
.
where, from 1986 to 1987, he was a Visiting Research Fellow. He is an advisor to JPMorgan Chase, who have been chosen to operate the Trade Bank of Iraq
, which will give banks access to the financial system of Iraq He was a special adviser to BP
, which currently has major interests in Iraq. He is a non-executive director of Petropavlovsk plc (formerly Peter Hambro Mining). He is a member of the Board of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce; the Board of Governors of Kingston University
; and is a Governor of the Ditchley Foundation
. From 2005-7 he was a member of the Task Force of the Trilateral Commission on Russia. He was a member of the Chilcot inquiry into circumstances leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq
, having been appointed to the Privy Council
in 2009. Several people have commented that he is the toughest inquisitor on the committee.
A fanatical Manchester United supporter, he gave one of his sons the middle name "Charlton" after Sir Bobby Charlton
. A keen sportsman and outdoorsman, he took part in a half marathon through the streets of Moscow to publicise the plight of two endangered species of Siberian big cats. He also took on Alastair Campbell
over three races in St Petersburg, which Campbell won 2-1.
Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service
Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service is the diplomatic service of the United Kingdom, dealing with foreign affairs, as opposed to the Home Civil Service, which deals with domestic affairs...
who served as British Ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2000 to 2004.
Early life and education
The son of a senior Royal Air ForceRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
officer who flew Spitfires in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Lyne refused to go to Marlborough College
Marlborough College
Marlborough College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils, located in Marlborough, Wiltshire.Founded in 1843 for the education of the sons of Church of England clergy, the school now accepts both boys and girls of all beliefs. Currently there are just over 800...
because "there were no doors on the lavatories" but instead attended Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
on a bursary. He went on to read history at Leeds University, which he says was the only university to offer him an interview, on account of his poor A-level grades. Nevertheless, he was a good undergraduate student.
Diplomatic career
Rod Lyne joined the Foreign and Commonwealth OfficeForeign and Commonwealth Office
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO is a British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas, created in 1968 by merging the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office.The head of the FCO is the...
(FCO) in 1970, and went to study at the Army School of Languages in 1971. His first posting was as Third Secretary to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
in 1972. He was sent to Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
in 1974 and returned to the FCO in 1976. He was appointed Assistant Private Secretary
Private Secretary
In the United Kingdom government, a Private Secretary is a civil servant in a Department or Ministry, responsible to the Secretary of State or Minister...
to Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington in 1979. Lyne was posted as First Secretary
Diplomatic rank
Diplomatic rank is the system of professional and social rank used in the world of diplomacy and international relations. Over time it has been formalized on an international basis.-Ranks:...
to UKMIS New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in 1982 where he served until 1986, when he was seconded to Chatham House
Chatham House
Chatham House, formally known as The Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in London whose mission is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs. It is regarded as one of the world's leading...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. From 1987 to 1990 he was Counsellor and Head of Chancery at the British Embassy in Moscow.
Between 1990 and 1993 Lyne was Head of the Soviet and then Eastern Department of the FCO. For three years from 1993, Rod Lyne was seconded to 10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
as Private Secretary
Private Secretary
In the United Kingdom government, a Private Secretary is a civil servant in a Department or Ministry, responsible to the Secretary of State or Minister...
to Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
John Major
John Major
Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
, advising on foreign affairs, defence and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. From 1997 to 2000 Lyne served as Permanent Representative, UKMIS Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
before finishing his diplomatic career as HM Ambassador to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
On his London postings, he usually commuted to Whitehall
Whitehall
Whitehall is a road in Westminster, in London, England. It is the main artery running north from Parliament Square, towards Charing Cross at the southern end of Trafalgar Square...
by bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
.
Post retirement
Sir Roderic Lyne is now Vice-Chairman at Chatham HouseChatham House
Chatham House, formally known as The Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in London whose mission is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs. It is regarded as one of the world's leading...
where, from 1986 to 1987, he was a Visiting Research Fellow. He is an advisor to JPMorgan Chase, who have been chosen to operate the Trade Bank of Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, which will give banks access to the financial system of Iraq He was a special adviser to BP
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
, which currently has major interests in Iraq. He is a non-executive director of Petropavlovsk plc (formerly Peter Hambro Mining). He is a member of the Board of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce; the Board of Governors of Kingston University
Kingston University
Kingston University is a public research university located in Kingston upon Thames, southwest London, United Kingdom. It was originally founded in 1899 as Kingston Technical Institute, a polytechnic, and became a university in 1992....
; and is a Governor of the Ditchley Foundation
Ditchley Foundation
The Ditchley Foundation is a British organisation based at Ditchley House near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, which aims to promote international relations, especially Anglo-American relations, through a programme of around fifteen annual conferences on matters of international interest...
. From 2005-7 he was a member of the Task Force of the Trilateral Commission on Russia. He was a member of the Chilcot inquiry into circumstances leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
, having been appointed to the Privy Council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
in 2009. Several people have commented that he is the toughest inquisitor on the committee.
Personal life
Rod Lyne married Amanda Mary Smith in 1969. They have two sons (1971 and 1974) and one daughter (1981).A fanatical Manchester United supporter, he gave one of his sons the middle name "Charlton" after Sir Bobby Charlton
Bobby Charlton
Sir Robert "Bobby" Charlton CBE is an English former professional football player, a member of the England team who won the World Cup and Ballon d'Or for European Footballer of the Year in 1966...
. A keen sportsman and outdoorsman, he took part in a half marathon through the streets of Moscow to publicise the plight of two endangered species of Siberian big cats. He also took on Alastair Campbell
Alastair Campbell
Alastair John Campbell is a British journalist, broadcaster, political aide and author, best known for his work as Director of Communications and Strategy for Prime Minister Tony Blair between 1997 and 2003, having first started working for Blair in 1994...
over three races in St Petersburg, which Campbell won 2-1.