Michael Jenkins (diplomat)

Born in Cambridge and son of the Byzantine scholar, Romilly Jenkins, he was trained as a Russian interpreter during his National Service.

He subsequently studied languages and history as an Exhibitioner at King's College, Cambridge (1956–59), from where he graduated and joined the Diplomatic Service in 1959.

Following senior postings in Europe, including ten years at the European Commission, he became Minister at the British Embassy in Washington, and in 1988 Ambassador to the Netherlands.

In 2007, he joined the Board of Geopark, the Aim listed oil and gas company, as a non-executive Director; and in March 2008, Sir Michael became Chairman of Matra Petroleum plc.

While serving a tour of duty in Moscow, he researched a biography of Aleksey Arakcheyev which was published in 1969, and towards the end of his diplomatic career he wrote a memoir of his youth, A House in Flanders.