Francis Cornish (diplomat)
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Francis Cornish | |
|---|---|
| 18th British Ambassador to Israel | |
| In office 1998–2001 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | David Manning |
| Succeeded by | Sherard Cowper-Coles |
| 1st British Consul General to Hong Kong and Macao | |
| In office July 1997 – November 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Sir Andrew Burns |
| 9th British High Commissioner to Brunei | |
| In office 6 November 1983 – 5 August 1986 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur Watson |
| Succeeded by | Roger Westbrook |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Francis Cornish 18 May 1942 |
| Spouse |
Alison Jane Dundas (m. 1964) |
| Children | 3 daughters |
| Parent | C.D. Cornish (father) |
| Occupation | Soldier Diplomat |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch/service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1960–1968 |
| Unit | 14th/20th King's Hussars |
Robert Francis Cornish[1] CMG LVO (Chinese: 鄺富劭; born 18 May 1942[citation needed]) is a British former diplomat who previously served as the Foreign Office spokesman for Douglas Hurd,[2] Senior Trade Commissioner to Hong Kong (until 1997),[3] British Consul General to Hong Kong and Macao (July to November 1997), head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's news department, and Ambassador to Israel (1998 to 2001).[2]
Cornish was born on 18 May 1942 in England, Britain and educated at the Charterhouse and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In 1960, he began service with the British Army and was commissioned into the 14th/20th King's Hussars in 1962,[4] and later joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (ECO) in 1968.[3] From 1968 to 1969, he worked with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).[5]
Diplomatic career
Cornish began his diplomatic career in several countries which include Malaysia in 1970 and Indonesia from 1971 to 1973.[6] Posted to London from 1973 to 1976, then serving as the First Secretary at the British Embassy in Bonn, Germany from 1976 to 1980. Under the Prince of Wales, he would become his Assistant Deputy Secretary from 1980 to 1983.[7] On 6 November 1983,[8] he was appointed as the British High Commissioner to Brunei. He would vacate the colonial mansion where British officials have managed Brunei's affairs as a sign of independence. Nonetheless, a British Gurkha battalion will stay in the nation for a further five years to support the national defense.[9] From 1986 to 1990, he became the Counsellor in Washington, and Head of British Information Services in New York.[7]
Cornish became the Head of News Department from 1990 to 1993, and from 1993 to 1997, he was the Senior Trade Commissioner in Hong Kong.[6][3] From July to November 1997, he held the position of Consul-General to Hong Kong and Macao. In 1998, he would then be appointed as the British Ambassador to Israel until 2001.[2]
Cornish had other diplomatic and royal postings:
- Spokesman to the Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd[2]
- Handover transition advisor to Governor Chris Patten
