Lord Kerr becomes patron of ACE

Lord Kerr of Kinlochard GCMG is one the UK's most distinguished diplomats of the post-1945 era. He was educated at Glasgow Academy and read History at Pembroke College, University of Oxford before joining the Diplomatic Service. He was seconded to the Treasury between 1979 and 1984 and served as Principal Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1981 to 1984. After his return to the Foriegn and Commonwealth, his postings included as Permanent Representative to the EU from 1990-95 and as Ambassador to the United States from 1995-97. Between 1997 and 2002, he served as Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service.
 
Following his retirement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Lord Kerr was appointed Secretary General to the Convention on the Future of Europe in 2002-3 and was elevated to the House of Lords in 2004. He is currently Deputy Chairman of Royal Dutch Shell, Chairman of the Council of Imperial College, London and Chairman of the Centre for European Reform. In 2010, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Aston University.
 
Of the Aston Centre for Europe (ACE), Lord Kerr said: 'I am delighted to act as Patron for the Aston Centre for Europe. Europe remains a critical point of reference for the United Kingdom in political, economic and security terms, and if anything, this importance is set to increase over the coming years. By establishing the Centre, Aston University has recognised the lasting importance of this area both for academic research and public policy, and I am particularly pleased that the bridging of these two aspects lies at the heart of the Centre's mission.'