Lyne was posted as first secretary to UKMIS New York City in 1982 where he served until 1986, when he was seconded to Chatham House in London.

For three years from 1993, Rod Lyne was seconded to 10 Downing Street as private secretary to Prime Minister John Major, advising on foreign affairs, defence and Northern Ireland.

From 1997 to 2000 Lyne served as permanent representative, UKMIS Geneva before finishing his diplomatic career as HM Ambassador to Russia.

[2] He currently sits on the advisory council of the Front Row Group of Companies Ltd. Rod Lyne married Amanda Mary Smith in 1969.

[2] A keen sportsman and outdoorsman, he took part in a half marathon through the streets of Moscow to publicise the plight of two endangered species of Siberian big cats.