The Right Honorable
Christopher Francis Patten
University of Oxford
Member of Parliament (England); Governor of Hong Kong
Area
Leadership, Policy, and Communications
Specialty
Public Affairs and Public Policy
Elected
1998
International Honorary Member
Christopher Francis Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes, is the current Chancellor of the University of Oxford and former Chairman of BBC Trust. Patten started his career in the Conservative Research Department in 1966 and became its Director until 1979. Afterwards, he became a Member of Parliament for Bath, which he would hold until 1992, and had positions such as Minister for Overseas Development, Secretary of State for the Environment, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Patten was the 28th and last Governor of Hong Kong, ending in 1997. From 1999 to 2004, Patten served as European Commissioner for External Relations, and assumed a seat in the House of Lords in 2005. Some of his notable books include, What Next? Surviving the 21st Century, Not Quite the Diplomat: Home Truths About World Affairs, and East and West, all focus about the relationship between Asia and foreign countries. His work has earned him honorary degrees from University of Bath, University of Ulster, South East European University, and University of Trinity College, Toronto.
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