Former British diplomat, Sir David Logan KCMG, visits King's Ely

Former British diplomat, Sir David Logan KCMG, visited King's this week to give our first Round Table Lecture of the new term.

Students and staff packed inside the Old Palace Lecture Theatre to hear Sir David discuss 'Trump, Putin, and the vulnerability of Europe'.

Sir David was the British Ambassador to Turkey from 1997-2001. Previously, he had been Minister, Washington DC from 1995-1997, Assistant Under Secretary of State, Defence Policy from 1994-1995, and Assistant Under Secretary of State, Central and Eastern Europe from 1992-1994.

Following his retirement from the Diplomatic Service, Sir David became Director of the Centre for Studies in Security and Diplomacy, and Honorary Professor, School of Social Sciences, University of Birmingham (2002-2006). Since 2006, he has served variously as an adviser to HSBC, Efes Breweries International, and Thames Water, amongst others.

Mr Colin Currie, who is Head of History at King's Ely Senior, said: "In his lecture, Sir David considered Russian security concerns since the end of the Cold War and the break up of the Soviet Union, and how they have influenced Putin’s actions around Russia’s borders and particularly regarding Ukraine. He then looked at the vulnerability of Europe, as a result of wavering US commitment to its defence during Trump’s presidencies, and considered what Europe might do to mitigate this. Sir David then answered some very interesting student questions pertaining to themes raised in the talk, along with wider geo-political concerns.

"After the talk, it was a real treat for some of our A-Level History, Politics, and Geography students to share school tea with Sir David in the Monastic Barn, where he regaled us with anecdotes spanning a 40-year diplomatic career. I would like to thank Sir David for kindly giving up his time to speak at our Round Table Lecture."

Now in their fourth year, these brilliant academic lectures are organised through our vibrant co-curricular and enrichment programme. They take place after school and are open to all students in Years 9-13.