Sir
Christopher Mallaby
GCMG GCVO
Mallaby commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Berlin airlift
British Ambassador to France
In office
1993–1996
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterJohn Major
Preceded bySir Ewen Fergusson
Succeeded bySir Michael Jay
British Ambassador to Germany
(West Germany, 1988–1990)
In office
1988–1993
MonarchElizabeth II
PresidentRichard von Weizsäcker
Prime Minister
ChancellorHelmut Kohl
Preceded bySir Julian Bullard
Succeeded bySir Nigel Broomfield
Personal details
Born(1936-07-07)7 July 1936
Died28 February 2022(2022-02-28) (aged 85)
NationalityBritish
Spouse
Pascale Thierry-Mieg
​
​
(m. 1962; died 2020)​
Children4, including Sebastian
Parent
EducationEton College
Alma materKing's College, Cambridge
Harvard Business School

Sir Christopher Leslie George Mallaby GCMG GCVO (7 July 1936 – 28 February 2022) was a British diplomat.

Early life and career

The son of Brigadier A. W. S. Mallaby CIE OBE and Margaret Catherine Mallaby (née Jones), he was educated at Eton College and studied Modern Languages and History at King's College, Cambridge. In 1971 he studied at Harvard Business School. After leaving university he entered Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service in 1959.

Mallaby was British Ambassador to West Germany 1988-1992, British Ambassador to France 1993-1996 and Managing Director of UBS Investment Bank.[1]

Mallaby was chairman of Somerset House Trust from 2002–2006, and trustee of the Tate Gallery Group 1996-2002. He was also as of 2011 a trustee director and deputy-chairman of Reuters,[2] and since 2001 has been the Chairman of EORTC.[3]

Mallaby was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1982, Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1986, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1996 and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 1992.

In an interview in 2009, when asked how bad the relationship between the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Margaret Thatcher and Chancellor of Germany Helmut Kohl was, Mallaby replied, "Very bad. It was about personal chemistry. They didn't naturally enjoy each other's company. Mrs Thatcher had easier relationships with Reagan or Gorbachev."[4]

Mallaby initiated the Entente Cordiale Scholarship scheme, a prestigious Franco-British scholarship programme.[5][6]

Personal life

In 1961 Mallaby married Pascale Thierry-Mieg, and they had a son, Sebastian, and three daughters. Lady Mallaby died on 11 February 2020.[7] Christopher Mallaby died on 28 February 2022, at the age of 85.[8]

References

  1. ^ "The UBS Art Collection : Home > About Us > Art Collection Board > Sir Christopher Mallaby". www.ubs.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Thomson Reuters | Sir Christopher Mallaby, GCMG, GCVO". Archived from the original on 26 November 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  3. ^ "CMallaby | EORTC". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Thatcher versus Kohl: 'They Didn't Naturally Enjoy Each Other's Company'". Der Spiegel. 14 September 2009.
  5. ^ "Crossing the Channel, Promoting academic mobility within Europe" (PDF). francobritishcouncil.org.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  6. ^ "Are International Exchange and Mobility Programmes Effective Tools of Symmetric Public Diplomacy?" (PDF). cadair.aber.ac.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  7. ^ Mallaby
  8. ^ "Mallaby, Sir Christopher". The Times. 5 March 2022. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.

External links

Diplomatic posts Preceded bySir Julian Bullard British Ambassador to West Germany 1988–1990 Germany reunifies RecreatedGermany reunified British Ambassador to Germany 1990–1993 Succeeded bySir Nigel Broomfield Preceded bySir Ewen Fergusson British Ambassador to France 1993–1996 Succeeded bySir Michael Jay
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