Lord Paddy Ashdown was educated at Bedford School and became a career Officer serving as a Captain in the Royal Marines. An action man by nature he served with Commando Units in Far East, Middle East the Special Boat Service in Far East and, of course, Ireland.

Made a peer in 2001 Lord Ashdown was the leader of the Liberal Democrats for over ten years having been spokesman for Trade and Industry, Education and Science and Northern Ireland.

Currently a Non-Executive Director at the Independent and Time Computers. Paddy is married with two children and two grandchildren. Less well known is that he is a gifted linguist, fluent in Mandarin and other languages.

Lord Ashdown was High Representative of the International Community in Bosnia and Herzogovina from 2002 till 2006 and was awarded the GCMG in the 2006 New Years Honours List, for his work there.

A charismatic and thought provoking conference, keynote and after dinner speaker.