Alastair Bruce, 5th Baron Aberdare
Alastair John Lyndhurst Bruce, 5th Baron Aberdare | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 2, 1947 St John's Wood, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Hereditary peer, politician |
| Years active | 1969–2025 |
| Known for | Member of the House of Lords (crossbench) |
Alastair John Lyndhurst Bruce, 5th Baron Aberdare (born 2 May 1947) is a British hereditary peer who formerly sat as a crossbench member in the House of Lords.
Early life and education
Born in St John's Wood, London, Lord Aberdare is the son of Morys Bruce, 4th Baron Aberdare, and Maud Helen Sarah Dashwood, herself the daughter of Sir John Dashwood, 10th Baronet. Among his godparents were Montague Woodhouse, 5th Baron Terrington, and Diana Bowes-Lyon. He attended Eton College before pursuing higher education at Christ Church, Oxford. He inherited his title in 2005 following his father's passing.
Career
- Employed by IBM from 1969 until 1991
- Partner at Bruce Naughton Wade between 1991 and 1999
- Director of ProbusBNW starting in 1999
- Served as Trustee of the National Botanic Garden of Wales from 1994 to 2006
- Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce
- Honorary Fellow at Cardiff University since July 2008
- Holds the position of Sub Prior within the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem, Priory of Wales
Offices
Lord Aberdare holds the presidency of the Cynon Valley History Society.
House of Lords
In July 2009, following the passing of Lord Bledisloe, Lord Aberdare was elected to the House of Lords through a by-election conducted under the House of Lords Act 1999. This legislation permits 92 hereditary peers to maintain their seats, with vacancies filled by elections among non-sitting hereditary peers. The outcome was declared on 15 July 2009 after Crossbench members voted. His inaugural speech on 26 November 2009 focused on issues related to transitioning from education into the workforce. He retired from parliamentary duties on 31 August 2025.
Family
He wed Elizabeth Mary Culbert Foulkes in 1971. The couple has two children:
- Hon. Hector Morys Napier Bruce (born 1974)
- Hon. Sarah Katherine Mary Bruce (born 1976)
References
- "Aberdare, Baron (Bruce) (Baron UK 1873)" Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage 1995 London: Debrett's Peerage Limited, 1995, p. 4.
- Who's Who 2008, A & C Black, 2008; online edn, Oxford University Press, December 2007.