Christopher Hansard

Christopher Samuel Tugendhat, Baron Tugendhat, born February 23, 1937, has had a multifaceted career as a British politician, businessman, journalist, and author. A Conservative Party member, he served as a Member of Parliament from 1970 to 1977. Subsequently, he was appointed to the European Commission, holding the position of First Vice-President from 1981 to 1985. In 1993, he entered the House of Lords as a life peer.

His early life included education at Cambridge, followed by a decade as a features editor and writer for the Financial Times. His political career saw him elected as an MP for the Cities of London and Westminster. Notably, he was appointed to the European Commission by a Labour government, later reappointed by Margaret Thatcher. He survived an assassination attempt in Brussels in 1980. Post-European Commission, he chaired the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) and the Civil Aviation Authority. He has also held significant leadership roles in major corporations and institutions, including Abbey National and Lehman Brothers' European Advisory Board, and served as Chancellor of the University of Bath.

Born in Marylebone, Middlesex, Christopher Samuel Tugendhat, Baron Tugendhat, has a distinguished background. His father, Dr. Georg Tugendhat, originally from Vienna, came to Britain after World War I to pursue doctoral studies at the London School of Economics. Dr. Tugendhat's paternal lineage traced back to Bielitz in Silesia, a region that was formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Christopher Tugendhat received his education at King's College School, Cambridge, and Ampleforth College, before attending Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. His professional journey began in journalism, where he served as a features editor and leader writer for the Financial Times for a decade, from 1960 to 1970.

In 1970, Christopher Tugendhat was elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament representing the Cities of London and Westminster, a role he held until 1977. He then transitioned to public service in Europe, being appointed to the European Commission. Initially appointed by a Labour government, he was later reappointed by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, serving as First Vice-President of the European Commission from 1981 to 1985. During his tenure in Brussels, he was the target of an assassination attempt in December 1980, from which he narrowly escaped. He later entered the House of Lords in 1993 as a life peer.

Following his significant role in the European Commission, Lord Tugendhat took on leadership positions in various influential organizations. He chaired the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) from 1986 to 1995 and also led the Civil Aviation Authority from 1986 to 1991. His business acumen was further demonstrated through his chairmanship of Abbey National and Blue Circle Industries, as well as his involvement with the European Advisory Board of Lehman Brothers. He also served as a director for companies like Rio Tinto and Eurotunnel. Additionally, he was the Chancellor of the University of Bath from 1998 to 2013 and chaired the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

“closer than I would have liked”