Richard Ballerand
Richard Melville Ballerand is a tri-lingual, tri-national defence and security policy adviser, a Senior Partner at Dorrington Associates, the Security Policy Advisory Group. He originally worked in New York investment banking and has served as a military liaison officer and a former consultant to the DTI.
Has been extremely involved in pro bono activities and remains a trustee of several organisations, including the Royal Institution, the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, ANOLIR (French National Association of Liaison Officers), and the Chelsea Society (also manages to act as local Tree Warden ).
Previously involved with European Union activities: as regular IGC delegate and Federal Union committee member, now European Movement life member. Founder member of the Social Science Grapevine he has lectured on a range of subjects in both EU and non-EU countries.
Notable for charitable service to community: e.g. as senator then executive council member, London University, and governor, Birkbeck, University of London. Former chair of Chelsea & Westminster Hospital Artbeat, vice-chair CBS Counselling, vice-president of French Reserve Officers' Association (UK), diving officer, Venturers Club, trustee then adviser now life member of SCAS (Society for Companion Animal Studies), trustee now strategy committee member of the Zoological Society of London .
Born in Singapore of French/Russian/German/English/Scottish/Irish ancestry due to multiple upheavals and revolutions . Recent relatives include a great great uncle, William Melville, who was allegedly the first chief of the British secret service, forerunner of MI5; and another, Pyotr Nikolayevich Wrangel, who commanded the White Armies of the south at the end of the Russian Civil War.
Educated in England, the U.S., and France - in Scarsdale, New York, at The Oratory School, and the universities of Edinburgh, Buckingham, Paris, and London with a collection of undergraduate and post-graduate degrees.
Mensa member belonging to both the French Paratroops and Mountain Troops associations - he is also a member of more selective high IQ societies such as the Triple Nine Society and the Ultranet. Avocations include canids, and scuba-diving.
Fellowships: quondom FAC, FRGS, FRI, current FZS, FRSA, FLS, FRUSI (one of eleven Fellows) - very interested in the theory and practice of social networks.
References
- Who's Who in the World, 24th EDition, 2007.
- Who's Who in Science and Engineering, 9th edition, 2007.
- Who's Who in Finance and Business, 35th edition, 2007.