It is with great sadness that the College has to report the death on 25 October of Sir Derek Thomas, alumnus and Honorary Fellow of the College.
After reading modern languages (French and Russian) at the Hall, Sir Derek spent two years doing his National Service in the Navy, first learning to be a naval interpreter in Russian and then driving an MTB round Malta for six months.
Sir Derek Thomas
His career as a diplomat was divided between embassies abroad and spells at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. Postings included Moscow, Sofia, Manila, Ottawa, Paris, Washington, and finally Rome where he was Ambassador to Italy. For one spell in London before going to Paris, he was seconded to the Treasury to learn about international financial issues.
After retirement from the FCO, Derek was recruited in 1990 by N. M. Rothschild and Sons and spent 14 years as adviser to the Chairman on the development of the bank’s European business, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe.
The flag will fly at half-mast today (October 27).
