Lecture: Lessons from a Life in Diplomacy

Simon McDonald, Lord McDonald of Salford, GCMG, KCVO, has enjoyed one of the most distinguished careers in the highest echelons of government, serving under seven prime ministers, from Margaret Thatcher to Boris Johnson. He joined the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (now the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) directly from Cambridge University in 1982, rising to become Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service from September 2015 until September 2020.

Before becoming the FCO’s professional head, he served as Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary from 2001–03; as Ambassador to Israel from 2003–06; as Director for Iraq at the FCO from 2006–07; as Foreign Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister and Head of the Overseas and Defence Secretariat at the Cabinet Office from 2007–10; and as Ambassador to Germany from 2010–15. He has been Master of Christ’s College, Cambridge, since September 2022.

Lord McDonald’s lecture will contain a wide-ranging analysis of the challenges of effective diplomacy in the modern world and what it takes to operate and lead at the highest levels of government. He will discuss the use of hard and soft power and the role that Britain can still play in making the world a safer place. Finally, he will set out his thoughts on the changes that need to take place in the structure of government to deliver a more effective service for the British people. This is an opportunity to hear first-hand from a top civil servant how Britain manages its relationships with the rest of the world and how the governance of our country could be improved. There will be an opportunity to ask questions after the lecture.

The price includes a glass of wine or a soft drink, served after the lecture when there will be an opportunity to mingle with other attendees and meet the speaker.

Please do not hesitate to forward this invitation to others you know. These are public lectures and all are welcome.

Please note that tickets can only be bought by adults. If you are a sixth former, please arrange for your parents or a teacher to buy the tickets on your behalf, as you must be accompanied by an adult at the lecture. If this is not possible for you, we can arrange for a Norwich School staff member attending the lecture to act in loco parentis. Please contact the event organiser if you need this to happen or if you have any other questions.