by Sir Stephen Wall

Former Ambassador, Political Expert & Historian

Wednesday, 22 May 2024, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

By Kind Permission of His Excellency Nuno Brito,The Portuguese Ambassador, a talk and reception will be held at:

The Residence of The Portuguese Ambassador
12 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PN

In this talk Sir Stephen Wall will deliver an illustrated talk covering a diverse range of compelling themes, including:

1. Life as a British diplomat in Ethiopia, France, US, Belgium and London (including working for James Callaghan, David Owen, John Major and Tony Blair)

2. Life as Ambassador in Portugal 

3. A look at the lives of British people who made an impact in Portugal over the centuries 

ABOUT SIR STEPHEN WALL GCMG LVO

Sir Stephen Wall GCMG LVO, is a distinguished British diplomat renowned for his extensive service and expertise in European affairs. Educated at Douai School and Selwyn College, Cambridge, he embarked on his diplomatic career in 1968.

His early diplomatic postings included significant roles at the United Nations, Addis Ababa, and Paris. Upon his return to London in 1974, he assumed various responsibilities within the Foreign Office, including serving in the News Department and the press office of Prime Minister James Callaghan.

Throughout the years, Sir Stephen Wall held several pivotal positions within the British diplomatic service, including Assistant Private Secretary to Foreign Secretary David Owen and later to Lord Carrington. His career also included a notable stint at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., where he served for four years from 1979 to 1983.

From 1983 to 1988, Wall served as Assistant Head and later Head of the Foreign Office's European Community Department (Internal). Subsequently, he held the role of Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary from 1988 to 1991, working under Geoffrey Howe, John Major, and Douglas Hurd. He then transitioned to become Prime Minister John Major's Private Secretary from 1991 to 1993, overseeing foreign policy and defense matters.

In 1993, Sir Stephen Wall was appointed as Britain's Ambassador to Portugal, a position he held until 1995, when he was selected as Britain's Permanent Representative to the European Union. Following his tenure in Brussels, he returned to London in 2000 to lead the Cabinet Office's European Secretariat as European adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair, a role he held until 2004.

Since leaving the Civil Service, he has had extensive experience in the not for profit sector, including nine years as a trustee on the Council of University College London (UCL), for six years of which he was Chair. He had ten years as Chair of Cumberland Lodge, an educational charity which organises dialogue and debate to tackle the causes of social division. He also served as a trustee of the Thomson Foundation, which trains journalists from developing countries, to help them to operate effectively even when the political climate is hostile to freedom of expression.

Publications:

A Stranger in Europe: Britain and the European Union from Thatcher to Blair, (OUP, 2008)

The Official History of Britain and the European Community, 1963-1975 and 1975-1985 (Routledge, 2012 and 2019)

Reluctant European: Britain and the EU from 1945 to Brexit (OUP, 2020).

TICKETS

As you know previous events have been oversubscribed and preference will be given to APS members during the ticket allocation process. Ticket prices include a drinks and canapé reception following the talk.

£25 Under 30s Members

£30 APS members

£50 APS joint members

£40 Non members & Guests

For further information please email us at info@apsociety.co.uk