Thomas Stonor, 7th Baron Camoys
Ralph Thomas Campion George Sherman Stonor, 7th Baron Camoys | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 16, 1940 |
| Died | January 4, 2023 (aged 82) |
| Occupation(s) | Nobleman, banker |
| Years active | 1968–2006 |
| Known for | Lord Chamberlain of the United Kingdom (1998–2000), first Catholic in role since Reformation |
Ralph Thomas Campion George Sherman Stonor, 7th Baron Camoys, (16 April 1940 – 4 January 2023) was a distinguished British nobleman and banker who held the office of Lord Chamberlain of the United Kingdom from 1998 to 2000. His tenure was historically significant as he became the first Catholic to occupy this role since the Reformation.
Early life
Born to Sherman Stonor, 6th Baron Camoys and Mary Jeanne Stourton, the 7th Baron Camoys descended on his father's side from prominent families including the Talbot Earls of Shrewsbury and the Nevills of Abergavenny, as well as an illegitimate branch of the de la Pole Dukes of Suffolk. He was also a direct descendant of Prime Minister Robert Peel, through Peel’s daughter Eliza who married The Hon. Francis Stonor. His ancestry extended to founders of Brown University in America. On his mother’s side, his lineage traced back to Charles II through his illegitimate daughter Charlotte Lee, Countess of Lichfield.
Education
Lord Camoys received his education at Eton College before attending Balliol College, Oxford, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Modern History.
Career
Lord Camoys devoted much of his professional life to banking. In 1968, he was appointed General Manager and Director at National Provincial and Rothschild (London) Ltd., followed by becoming managing director of Rothschild Intercontinental Bank Ltd. in 1969. After American Express took over Rothschild Intercontinental Bank in 1975, he assumed the roles of CEO and managing director at Amex Bank Ltd (1975–77), later becoming its chairman (1977–78). Between 1978 and 1984, he served as managing director at Barclays Merchant Bank, subsequently advancing to Executive Vice-Chairman from 1984 until 1986.
Following the sweeping financial deregulation known as the "Big Bang" in London’s financial district in 1986, Barclays Merchant Bank was rebranded as Barclays de Zoete Wedd (BZW). Lord Camoys became BZW’s inaugural Chief Executive (1986–88) and later its deputy chairman (1988–98). This entity eventually transformed into Barclays Capital. Additionally, he held board memberships at Barclays Bank International Ltd (1980–84) and Barclays Bank Plc (1984–94).
Outside banking, Lord Camoys chaired Jacksons of Piccadilly from 1968 to 1985 and served as Deputy Chairman at Sotheby’s between 1993 and 1997. His directorships extended to Mercantile Credit Co Ltd (1980–84), National Provident Institution (1982–93), Administrative Staff College (1989–2000), 3i Group Plc (1991–2002), and Perpetual (1994–2000). He was actively involved in industry organizations, including serving as President of the Mail Users Association from 1977 to 1984 and holding the office of Prime Warden for the Fishmongers Company during 1992–93. Furthermore, he was a Steward at Henley Royal Regatta starting in 1978 and presided over The River and Rowing Museum beginning in 1997.
Governmental career
Upon inheriting his father’s title, he became the 7th Lord Camoys and took his seat in the House of Lords on 8 March 1976. His parliamentary contributions included membership on the European Economic Community select committee (1979–81), participation on the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (1985–87), and service on the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts from 1987 to 1994.
From 1992 until 1997, he acted as a Lord in Waiting to Queen Elizabeth II, later becoming a Permanent Lord in Waiting starting in 2000. He occupied the office of Lord Chamberlain of the United Kingdom between 1998 and his retirement due to health reasons in 2000. He succeeded David Ogilvy, 13th Earl of Airlie, and was followed by Lord Luce. His appointment was particularly notable for marking the first time since the English Reformation that a Catholic held this prestigious position.
Religious career
From 1991 until 2006, he held the position of consultor for the Extraordinary Session of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See. In June 2009, Lord Camoys was named Chairman of The Tablet Trust.
Marriage and family life
In 1966, the seventh Baron entered into marriage with Elisabeth Mary Hyde Parker, daughter of Sir William Hyde Parker, 11th Baronet of Melford Hall, Suffolk. Their offspring include:
- The Hon. Alina Mary Stonor (born 1967) – wed Simon Barrowcliff in 1994; they have three children.
- The Hon. Emily Mary Julia Stonor (born 1969) – married John Dalrymple, 14th Earl of Stair, in 2006; they have two children.
- The Hon. Sophie Ulla Stonor (born 1971) – married James Alastair Stourton in 1993 (marriage annulled in 1997); later married Moritz Florian Maria Freiherr von Hirsch in 2001; mother to two sons.
- (Ralph) William Robert Thomas Stonor, 8th Baron Camoys (born 1974) – married Lady Ailsa Fiona Mackay in 2004; they have two sons and one daughter.
Their family residence is Stonor Park, located in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
Honours
- Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO), awarded in 1998
- Appointed Privy Counsellor (PC) in 1998
- Served as Deputy Lieutenant (DL) for Oxfordshire beginning in 1993
- Received the Nepalese Order of Gorkha Dadshina Bahu, First Class, in 1981
- Conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Letters (D.Litt) by the University of Sheffield in 2001
- Bestowed the Knight Grand Cross of the Papal Order of St. Gregory the Great (GCSG) by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006