James Allan (diplomat)

James Nicholas Allan CMG CBE (22 May 1932 – 18 September 2018^[1]) was a British diplomat, High Commissioner in Mauritius (1981–1985) and ambassador to Mozambique (1986–1989).

Background[]

Allan was the son of Morris Edward Allan and Joan Bach, and a half-brother of Lord Bach.

Education[]

Allan was educated at Gresham's School, Holt, Norfolk, from 1946 to 1950, and at the London School of Economics from 1953 to 1956.

Career[]

• 1950-1953: National Service
• 1953-1956: London School of Economics
• 1956-1958: Assistant Principal, Commonwealth Relations Office, London
• 1958-1959: Third Secretary and Second Secretary, British High Commission to South Africa
• 1959-1961: Private Secretary to Parliamentary Under-Secretary
• 1961-1964: First Secretary, British High Commission to Sierra Leone
• 1964: British High Commission to Cyprus
• 1964-1968: Commonwealth Relations Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London
• 1969-1971: Head of Chancery, British Embassy to China
• 1971-1973: Head of Chancery, British Embassy to Luxembourg
• 1973-1975: Counsellor in Northern Ireland Office, Belfast
• 1976-1977: Counsellor, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London
• 1978-1979: Head of Overseas Information Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London
• December 1979 to March 1980: Governor's Staff, Salisbury, Rhodesia
• 1980-1981: Head of Overseas Information Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London
• 1981-1985: High Commissioner in Mauritius
• 1984-1985: (simultaneously) Ambassador to the Comoro Islands
• 1986-1989: Ambassador to Mozambique
• 1989-1992: Senior Directing Staff, Royal College of Defence Studies, London

Family[]

In 1961, Allan married Helena Susara Crouse. They had one son, , and one daughter, Sarah. Mrs Allan died in 2001.

Honours[]

• Commander of the Order of the British Empire, 1976
• Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, 1989

Club[]

He was a member of the Athenaeum Club, London.

References[]

• Who's Who 2003 (A. & C. Black, London, 2003) page 27
• Old Greshamian Club Address Book 1999 page 24