Robin Leigh-Pemberton, Baron Kingsdown

The Right Honourable The Lord Kingsdown KG PC
Lord Kingsdown in the robes of a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter
Governor of the Bank of England
In office 1983–1993
Preceded by	Gordon Richardson
Succeeded by	Edward George
Personal details
Born	(1927-01-05)5 January 1927
Died
Nationality	British
Children	Hon. James Leigh-Pemberton
Alma mater	Trinity College, Oxford
Profession	Economist

Robert "Robin" Leigh-Pemberton, Baron Kingsdown, KG PC (5 January 1927 – 24 November 2013) was a British Peer and banker, who served as Governor of the Bank of England from 1983 to 1993.

Education and career

Leigh-Pemberton was educated at St Peter's Court, then at Eton College. He attended Trinity College, Oxford, graduating in 1950. In 1954, he was called to the Bar, and he practised law for a few years. He eventually became Chairman of the National Westminster Bank, then Governor of the Bank of England from 1983 until 1993.

Honours

He was appointed to the Privy Council in 1987, and created a life peer on 14 July 1993, as Baron Kingsdown, of Pemberton in the County of Lancashire. He became a Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1994, and was also the Lord Lieutenant of Kent. Between 1979 and 1992, he served as Honorary Colonel of the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry and between 1977 and 1984 he served as Pro Chancellor of the University of Kent. He also served on the board of directors of the Bank of International Settlements

Personal life

His family has a long association with Kingsdown and Torry Hill, near Doddington, Kent, where he rebuilt the family mansion in the 1960s. It features a striking view north towards the Isle of Sheppey, the Swale and the Thames estuary. On the grounds of the estate, there is also what is believed to be the only Eton Fives court attached to a private dwelling; it was built in 1925. Lord Kingsdown's father also built a private miniature railway in the 1930s. This still runs for several miles on his estate.

One of his sons, James Leigh-Pemberton, continues the family's association with the Duchy of Cornwall (beginning with its Chancellor, the 1st Baron Kingsdown) as Receiver-General. His brother, Jeremy Leigh-Pemberton is a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and is the parish chairman for the neighbouring parish of Wormshill.

Arms

Arms of Robin Leigh-Pemberton, Baron Kingsdown

Coronet Coronet of a Baron Crest 1st: A Dragon’s Head Ermine, erased Gules, ducally gorged Or, and transfixed by an Arrow fesswise proper (Pemberton). 2nd: A Demi-Lion rampant Gules, charged on the shoulder with an Ermine Spot and holding between the paws a Lozenge Argent, thereon a Rose Gules, barbed and seeded proper (Leigh). Escutcheon Quarterly: 1st & 4th, Ermine, an Estoile Or, between three Buckets Sable, hoops and handles Gold (Pemberton); 2nd & 3rd, Gules, a Cross engrailed Argent, between four Lozenges Ermine (Leigh). Supporters Dexter: a Wyvern Ermine, ducally gorged Or, charged on the shoulder with an Estoile Gules. Sinister: a Lion Gules, charged on the shoulder with a Lozenge Argent, thereon an Ermine Spot Gules. Motto UT TIBI SIC ALTERI (Do to others as you would to yourself) Orders Order of the Garter (Appointed 1994)

See also

• Kingsdown and Torry Hill

References

Government offices
Preceded by Gordon Richardson	Governor of the Bank of England 1983–1993	Succeeded by Sir Edward George
Honorary titles
Preceded by The Lord Astor of Hever	Lord Lieutenant of Kent 1982–2002	Succeeded by Allan Willett