Lord Paddy Ashdown

    (£5,000 - £10,000)

... Return to previous page

Enlarge Image

Biography

Lord Ashdown was born in 1941 and educated at Bedford School. He joined the armed forces and served as a Royal Marines Officer (Captain) between 1959-1972 with Commando Units in Far East, Middle East and Belfast Command Unit of Special Boat Service in Far East.

During his time in the Far East, Lord Ashdown studied Chinese Mandarin at Hong Kong Language School and is a 1st Class Interpreter. From 1971-1976 he was First Secretary, UK Mission (Foreign Office) to the United Nations in Geneva. he returned to the UK and joined Westland Helicopters, before going on to work as a Youth Officer for Dorset County Council from 1981-1983. 

Lord Ashdown started his political career as Liberal Spokesman, first on Trade and Industry in 1985-1987, moving to Spokesman on Education and Science until 1988, before becoming Spokesman on Northern Ireland in 1988. During this same year he became Leader of the Liberal Democrats until he stepped down in 1999. 

Lord Ashdown retired from Parliament after the 2010 General Election. However, as recently announced in the press, he was named as a peer in the pre-election honours list.

He is currently a member of the All-Party Royal Marines Group and is a Non-Executive Director at the Independent and Time Computers.

Paddy Ashdown was made a Member of the House of Lords in 2001.

Lord Ashdown is a charismatic and thought provoking conference and after dinner speaker. He specialises in foreign affairs, globalisation, and new technology including e-commerce and information technology. 

To book Lord Ashdown for your event, please contact Parliament on

+44 (0) 1202 24 24 24