Neil Balfour
Neil Roxburgh Balfour | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 12, 1944 Lima, Peru |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant banker, financier, politician |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Known for | Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire North (1979–1983) |
Neil Roxburgh Balfour (born 12 August 1944) is a British merchant banker, financier, and politician. He represented the Yorkshire North constituency as a Member of the European Parliament from 1979 until 1983.
Early life
Balfour’s birthplace was Lima, Peru, where his father pursued a career as a merchant and polo player. He is the son of Archibald Roxburgh Balfour of Dawyck (1883–1958), a member of the Scottish landed gentry, and Lilian Helen (née Cooper) Balfour (d. 1989). His father, awarded the Military Cross, served as a Captain in the Lothians and Border Horse Yeomanry. Neil has two siblings: an elder brother, Christopher Roxburgh Balfour (born 1941), and a sister, Janet Roxburgh Balfour (born 1943).
On his paternal side, his grandparents were Alexander Balfour of Dawyck, a merchant, and Janet Roxburgh, connected to prominent individuals including J. F. Roxburgh. His maternal grandfather was Maxwell Dennison Cooper.
He received his education at Ampleforth College followed by University College, Oxford, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Career
Balfour was called to the bar at Middle Temple in 1968, qualifying as a barrister. He stood as the Conservative Party candidate in the 1973 by-election for Chester-le-Street, a constituency where Conservative success was unlikely. Despite limited campaign resources, his objective was to secure a strong second place; however, the Conservative vote shifted to the Liberals, resulting in loss of his deposit. He contested Chester-le-Street again during the February 1974 general election. Subsequently, he joined European Banking Co. Ltd as assistant manager and advanced to Executive Director between 1980 and 1983. Additionally, he ran for parliament in Hayes and Harlington in October 1974. In 1979, he was elected as an MEP for Yorkshire North.
During his tenure in the European Parliament, Balfour concentrated on trade policies, criticizing member countries for their reluctance to eliminate state subsidies and promoting free trade principles. Serving as budget spokesman for Conservative MEPs, he scrutinized the European Community’s budgeting processes while endorsing UK participation in the European Monetary System. In 1982, he opposed calls to withdraw the UK budget rebate but later supported a temporary freeze to prevent total cessation of payments.
Ryedale
After being appointed Chairman of York Trust Ltd (later York Mount Group) in 1983, Balfour chose not to seek re-election in the 1984 European Parliament elections. Following the death of Conservative MP John Spence in 1986, he contested the Ryedale by-election but was defeated by Liberal candidate Elizabeth Shields amid declining Conservative support. Returning to merchant banking thereafter, he became Chairman of Mermaid Overseas Ltd in 1991. From 1999 onward, he engaged with the Polish market as Director of Mostostal Warszawa SA and held the position of CEO between 2000 and 2002.
Policy stance
In 2000, identifying himself as a "committed Europhile," Balfour wrote to The Spectator, urging Britain to adopt beneficial EU legislation selectively and expressing support for Conrad Black’s proposal that Britain pursue membership in the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Personal life
In 1969, Balfour entered into marriage with Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia, the daughter of Prince Paul of Yugoslavia and Princess Olga of Greece and Denmark. Together, they have one son:
- Nicholas Augustus Roxburgh Balfour (born 1970), who wed Jonkvrouw Stéphanie de Brouwer in 2000; the couple has four daughters.
On November 4, 1978, Balfour married Serena Mary Spencer-Churchill Russell, whose parents were American publisher Edwin F. Russell and Lady Sarah Consuelo Spencer-Churchill, herself the granddaughter of John Spencer-Churchill, 10th Duke of Marlborough. Serena had been previously married three times, including a union with commodities broker Robert Salant.
Balfour and Serena have two children:
- Consuelo Lily Balfour (born 1979)
- Alastair Albert David Balfour (born 1981)
By 2004, the Balfour family was living in Warwick Square, London.