Lord Ricketts, former UK National Security Advisor

In March 2021, the UK Government published its long-awaited ‘Integrated Review’, outlining its defence, development and foreign policy stance for a changing world. The review heralds ‘the most radical assessment of the UK’s place in the world since the end of the Cold War’, and includes an emphasis on the UK’s engagement with Asia in what Whitehall has branded the ‘Indo-Pacific tilt’.

To update Corporate Members on the Integrated Review and what it means for the UK’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific, Asia House will welcome Lord Ricketts, former UK National Security Advisor and member of the Asia House Advisory Board, for a digital briefing on Tuesday 1 June.

In this off-the-record discussion, Lord Ricketts will assess the Integrated Review’s implications for the UK’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific, including the UK’s relationship with China and the future of key alliances in the region. Lord Ricketts will also address how the UK can best leverage its hosting of the G7 and COP26 to drive its strategic and environmental agendas.

Lord Ricketts was a British diplomat for 40 years, serving as National Security Advisor and UK Ambassador to France. Earlier in his public service, Lord Ricketts had experience of Asian affairs when serving in Singapore in the 1970s, as a Private Secretary to Sir Geoffrey Howe dealing with the negotiations with China over Hong Kong (1982-1984), and as Head of the FCO Hong Kong Department in the 1990s supporting Governor Chris Patten. In the later stages of his diplomatic career, Lord Ricketts served as Permanent Under Secretary at the FCO (2006-2010), and as Britain’s first National Security Adviser (2010-2012). In that capacity he established the National Security Council, and oversaw the 2010 National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review.

This briefing is being held exclusively for Asia House Corporate Members. Find out more about Corporate Membership at Asia House.

To register interest in joining this briefing, please email Edward Danks:  edward.danks@asiahouse.co.uk