Andrew Stark (diplomat)

Sir Andrew Alexander Steel Stark KCMG CVO (30 December 1916 – 3 April 2006) was a British diplomat.

Sir Andrew Stark KCMG CVO
British Ambassador to Denmark
In office 1971–1976
Preceded by	Sir Murray MacLehose
Succeeded by	Dame Anne Warburton
Personal details
Born	30 December 1916 Fauldhouse, Scotland
Died	3 April 2006(2006-04-03) (aged 89) White Notley, England
Nationality	British
Spouse(s)	Helen Oxley Parker
Children	Three sons
Alma mater	University of Edinburgh
Occupation	Diplomat
Military service
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch/service	British Army
Years of service	1940–1948
Rank	Captain
Unit	Green Howards Intelligence Corps
Battles/wars	Second World War

Early life and military service

He was educated at Bathgate Academy and the University of Edinburgh. He then briefly worked as an English teacher between 1937 and 1939. After training with the 166th Officer Cadet Training Unit, Stark commissioned into the Green Howards on 9 November 1940.[1] He served throughout the Second World War, latterly on the staff of Dwight D. Eisenhower as a German-speaking intelligence officer having transferred to the Intelligence Corps.[2]

In 1944 he married Helen Oxley Parker and together they had three sons.[3] In 1948 he was demobilised and joined HM Diplomatic Service.[4]

Diplomatic career

Stark worked as Assistant Private Secretary to Anthony Eden, the Foreign Secretary, from 1953 to 1955.[5] He then held diplomatic posts in Vienna, Belgrade, Rome and Bonn. He was invested as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1964 and as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1965. In 1968, Stark was appointed, with ambassadorial rank, to the British Delegation to the United Nations and in the Seven Nation Committee working for the reform and reorganisation of the UN. He then served on the staff of the UN for three years from 1968 to 1971. That year he became British Ambassador to Denmark, serving in the role until 1976.[6] In 1975 he was elevated as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.[7] Between 1976 and his retirement two years later Stark was Deputy Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.[8]

Later life

After leaving the FCO, Stark was invited by Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller to be chairman of Maersk's UK subsidiary, a position he held until 1987. From 1983 to 1995 he was chairman of the Anglo-Danish Society and then served as the Society's honorary president until his death. Stark was Pro-Chancellor of the University of Essex from 1983 to 1995.[9]

References

1. "No. 35008". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 November 1940. p. 6925.
2. Shovelton, Patrick (23 April 2006). "Sir Andrew Stark: Popular ambassador to Denmark". The Independent. London. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
3. "Sir Andrew Stark". The Times. London. 7 April 2006. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
4. "Sir Andrew Stark". The Scotsman. 12 April 2006. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
5. Shovelton, Patrick (23 April 2006). "Sir Andrew Stark: Popular ambassador to Denmark". The Independent. London. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
6. "No. 45406". The London Gazette. 22 June 1971. p. 6654.
7. "No. 46444". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1975. p. 4.
8. "Sir Andrew Stark". The Times. London. 7 April 2006. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
9. Shovelton, Patrick (23 April 2006). "Sir Andrew Stark: Popular ambassador to Denmark". The Independent. London. Retrieved 13 September 2016.

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Sir Murray MacLehose	British Ambassador to Denmark 1971–1976	Succeeded by Dame Anne Warburton