Frederic Seebohm, Baron Seebohm
Frederic Seebohm, Baron Seebohm | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1909-01-18 Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England |
| Died | 1990-12-15 |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, military officer, social work pioneer |
| Known for | Chairman of Barclays Bank International; Chair of Committee on Local Authority Personal Social Services (Seebohm Report) |
Frederic Seebohm, Baron Seebohm, TD (18 January 1909 – 15 December 1990), was a distinguished British figure known for his contributions as a banker, military officer, and pioneer in social work.
Early life and background
Born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Seebohm was the son of Hugh Exton Seebohm and the grandson of the historian Frederic Seebohm. His mother, Lesley Gribble, descended from George James Gribble, who served as High Sheriff of Bedfordshire from 1897 to 1898, and Norah Royds, an artist educated at the Slade School of Art. Among his maternal relatives were prominent individuals such as the engraver and illustrator Vivien Gribble, the writer and adventurer Major Philip Gribble, and Julian Royds Gribble, a Victoria Cross honoree.
His education included attendance at Leighton Park School followed by studies at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Career
Following his time at Cambridge, Seebohm entered Barclays Bank, which had incorporated the Hitchin Bank originally established by his family. He served with distinction in the Royal Artillery, achieving the rank of lieutenant-colonel, earning mentions in dispatches, and being awarded the Territorial Decoration.
Prior to joining Barclays’ central board after World War II, he held directorship positions in local enterprises based in Luton and Birmingham. In 1951, he became part of Barclays’ overseas board and later took on the role of chairman for Barclays Bank International in 1965, retiring from this position in 1972.
In December 1965, under the appointment of Douglas Houghton MP, Seebohm led the Committee on Local Authority Personal Social Services. The committee’s 1968 report, commonly known as the Seebohm Report, advocated for integrated social service departments within principal local authorities.
He also served as chairman of the Overseas Development Institute.
Awards
In recognition of his service, Seebohm was knighted in 1970 and subsequently ennobled as a life peer titled Baron Seebohm of Hertford in 1972. Upholding family tradition, he fulfilled the role of High Sheriff of Hertfordshire between 1970 and 1971. His leadership extended to presidencies at the National Institute for Social Work, the Royal African Society, and Age Concern. For fifteen years, he chaired the Joseph Rowntree Memorial Trust (now known as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation) and was instrumental in founding the York Council for Voluntary Service. Additionally, he held governance roles including chairman of 3i and governor positions at both the London School of Economics and Haileybury and Imperial Service College.
Later life and family
Seebohm married Evangeline Hurst in 1932; she was the daughter of Sir Gerald Berkeley Hurst. The couple had three children: one son and two daughters, among whom was Victoria Glendinning, a noted author.
His life ended tragically in a road accident in 1990; his wife passed away shortly after his death.