Born in a British military hospital in Austria, his career took him to British Embassies in Moscow, Bonn and Bucharest, from where he saw and reported the dramatic events of the 1989 Romanian Revolution from the action taking place in streets close to our Embassy.

Bernard combines an insider’s view of life overseas working for the Foreign Office A great believer in the global value of promoting British values and our  “special relationship” with America, he has been fortunate to have worked with remarkable people and colleagues in his diplomatic career. Bernard has met a number of inspirational leaders; his favourite the patrician Sir Alec Douglas-Home (Foreign Secretary to Macmillan ) whom Kennedy once described as like "polished wood on steel". 

On retirement Bernard took part in the goverment's Chevening scholarship programme, selecting overseas students with leadership potential.