13 Facts About Peter Riddell

Sir Peter John Robert Riddell was born on 14 October 1948 and is a British journalist and author.

Peter Riddell worked for the Financial Times from 1970 to 1991.

Peter Riddell attended Dulwich College and graduated from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge with a BA in history and economics and an MA.

Peter Riddell was property correspondent in the early 1970s and economics correspondent in the late 1970s, covering events such as the 1976 IMF crisis.

Peter Riddell became the FTs political editor in 1981, at the age of 33.

Peter Riddell was US editor and Washington bureau chief at the FT between 1989 and 1991, when he left the newspaper.

Peter Riddell has been a member of the Hansard Society council since 1996 and was its chair from 2007 until 2012.

Peter Riddell was a senior fellow at the Institute for Government from 2008 until 2011, and beginning in January 2012 he was its director.

On 6 July 2010, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced that Peter Riddell would be one of three members of an inquiry to determine whether British intelligence officers were complicit in the torture of detainees, including those from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp or subject to rendition flights.

On 20 April 2016, the Cabinet Office announced that Peter Riddell would replace Sir David Normington as the new Commissioner for Public Appointments.

On 25 November 2010, Peter Riddell was awarded the President's Medal by the British Academy "for an outstanding record as the producer of an informed picture of the inner workings of Whitehall, high politics and the party battle".

Peter Riddell was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to journalism and for public service.

Peter Riddell was knighted in the 2022 New Year Honours for public service.