Adam Ridley
Sir Adam Nicholas Ridley | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 14, 1942 |
| Occupation(s) | Economist, civil servant, banker |
| Years active | 1965–2013 |
| Known for | Special Advisor to Chancellors of the Exchequer; Director at Conservative Research Department; leadership roles at Hambros Bank, Morgan Stanley, Equitas insurance firms |
Sir Adam Nicholas Ridley (born 14 May 1942) is a distinguished British economist, former civil servant, and banking professional.
Following his tenure at the Foreign Office and the Department of Economic Affairs, he assumed the role of Director at the Conservative Research Department. Together with Chris Patten, he played a pivotal role in crafting the Conservative Party's 1979 election manifesto and later acted as a Special Advisor to successive Chancellors of the Exchequer until 1984. His career further extended into leadership positions at Hambros Bank, Morgan Stanley, and multiple Equitas insurance firms.
Early life and background
Ridley was born to Jasper Maurice Alexander Ridley (1913–1943) and Helen Laura Cressida Bonham-Carter, connecting him to influential political lineages, including that of former British Prime Minister H. H. Asquith. He received his education at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford, graduating with first-class honours in philosophy, politics and economics in 1965.
Among his relatives are actress Helena Bonham Carter, Conservative cabinet member Nicholas Ridley, and historian Jane Ridley, all first cousins.
Career
Ridley began his civil service career at the Foreign Office in 1965 before being seconded to the Department of Economic Affairs until 1968. After completing a Harkness Fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley, he returned to serve at HM Treasury (1970–71) and subsequently joined the Central Policy Review Staff until 1974. Between 1974 and 1979, he functioned as Economic Adviser to the Conservative Shadow Cabinets under Heath and Thatcher.
Instrumental in Margaret Thatcher's ascent, Ridley contributed to drafting her inaugural party conference speech and co-authored the Conservative manifesto for the 1979 general election. Upon his appointment as Director of the Conservative Research Department in 1979, he briefly worked within 10 Downing Street before serving as Special Advisor to Chancellors Geoffrey Howe and Nigel Lawson from 1979 through 1984. He was influential in developing government strategies concerning privatisation.
In 1985, Ridley provided counsel to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster prior to moving into merchant banking. His directorships included Hambros Bank and Hambros PLC (1985–1997), while he also chaired Sunday Newspaper Publishing PLC in 1990. Between 1995 and 1996, he led Lloyd's of London Names Advisory Committee and later served on both Lloyd's Council and Regulatory Board from 1997 to 1999. His subsequent non-executive roles encompassed Leopold Joseph Holdings (1998–2004), Morgan Stanley Bank International (2006–2013), Hampden Agencies Ltd (2007–2012), along with various Equitas insurance entities starting in 2009.
From 1994 to 2000, Ridley held the position of Deputy Chairman at the National Lottery Charities Board and has been a Council member of the British School at Athens since 2003.
Private life
Ridley married Lady Katharine Asquith, his second cousin and daughter of Julian Asquith, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Asquith, in 1970; their marriage ended in divorce in 1976. In 1981, he wed Margaret Anne Passmore, with whom he has three sons. He is affiliated with both the Garrick Club and the Political Economy Club.
Christopher Dow recalled in his memoirs that Ridley frequently arrived for Bank of England lunches on a motorcycle.
Publications
- Europe: Embracing Diversity (Routledge & Kegan Paul, Chatham House Papers series, 1985), written in collaboration with Helen Wallace[1]
Notes
- ↑ Pinder, John (1988). "Reviewed work: Europe: The Challenge of Diversity., Helen Wallace, Adam Ridley". International Affairs. 64 (3): 469. doi:10.2307/2622857. JSTOR 2622857.