Sir Andrew Alexander Steel Stark

1916 - 2006

Diplomat. Born in Bathgate (West Lothian), Stark was educated at Bathgate Academy and the University of Edinburgh. He joined the Foreign Office in 1948 and enjoyed postings to a number of European capitals. In 1968, he was sent to the United Nations in New York with the aim of reforming the bloated Secretariat. Despite valiant efforts, he failed in this task having faced vested interests and an organisation clearly unwilling to change. He served for two years as an Under Secretary-General, before being posted as the British Ambassador to Denmark (1971-76). He was recalled to the Foreign Office in London to resist attempts to slim down the British Diplomatic Service.

In retirement, he renewed his links with Denmark through accepting directorships with Carlsberg and Maersk, serving on the board of the Scandinavian Bank, and becoming Chairman of the Anglo-Danish Society and the Anglo-Danish Trade Advisory Board. He also served as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Essex.

Stark died in Essex.

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