Angus Fraser (civil servant)

Sir Angus McKay Fraser
KCB TD FSA
Efficiency advisor to the prime minister
In office
1988–1992
Preceded byRobin Ibbs
Succeeded byPeter Levene
Chairman of the Customs and Excise
In office
1983–1987
First Civil Service Commissioner
In office
1981–1983
Preceded byDr Fergus Allen
Succeeded byDennis Trevelyan
Personal details
Born(1928-03-08)8 March 1928
Maxwelltown, Dumfries
Died27 May 2001(2001-05-27) (aged 73)
Munich, Germany[1]
SpouseMargaret Neilson 1955 – 1968, Gillian Fenwick 1991 – 9 November 1993, his death
Childrena son, Simon, and daughter, Caroline
Alma materUniversity of Glasgow

Angus McKay Fraser KCB TD FSA (10 March 1928 – 27 May 2001) was a senior British Civil Servant politician and cabinet minister from 1979 until 1992, and a lifelong scholar of Gypsies, and of the author George Borrow.[2]

Early life

He was born at Dumfries, the son of a prison officer. He grew up in Falkirk, attending Falkirk High School where his interest in the life and writings of George Borrow was first kindled.[3] After school he studied modern languages at the University of Glasgow.[4]

After graduating he did Military Service in the Royal Artillery. He continued his association with the military as a member of the Territorial Army, receiving the Territorial Efficiency Decoration in 1966, at which time he held the rank of Major.[5]

Career

Fraser joined the Customs and Excise in 1952. His career tended to alternate between central Whitehall departments (Civil Service Department, The Treasury) and his own department. He rose to become Deputy Chairman of the Customs and Excise in 1978, followed by a Permanent Secretary position in the Civil Service Department (one of only 3 not Oxbridge educated at the time), and finally Chairman of the Customs and Excise.[4]

Shortly after retiring from the Customs and Excise Fraser was appointed Efficiency Advisor in the Cabinet Office in 1988, apparently after Margaret Thatcher asked about 'the man from Customs'.[3] He remained in post after Margaret Thatcher was succeeded by John Major, finally retiring in 1992.[6]

Unmarked family grave of Angus Fraser in Highgate Cemetery

Later years

On his retirement from the Cabinet Office, Fraser largely devoted himself to his long-standing scholarly interests. Shortly after Fraser retired he published The Gypsies,[7] a succinct account based on decades of study. Short before leaving office he had founded the George Borrow Society. He remained President of the society until his death.[citation needed]

He also found time to advise politicians inexperienced in public administration, varying from the leaders of the African National Congress, to the British Labour Party of Tony Blair.[citation needed]

He is buried in an unmarked family grave (plot no.52026 behind Pawlak) on the eastern side of Highgate Cemetery, set back from the main path opposite the grave of Malcolm McLaren.

Honours

References

  1. ^ "Sir Angus Fraser". The Independent. 17 June 2001. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022.
  2. ^ Anthony Sampson (15 June 2001). "Sir Angus Fraser". The Guardian.
  3. ^ a b "Sir Angus Fraser". The Daily Telegraph. 8 June 2001.
  4. ^ a b "Fraser, Sir Angus (McKay), (10 March 1928 – 27 May 2001), Adviser to the Prime Minister on Efficiency and Effectiveness in Government, 1988–92". www.ukwhoswho.com. 2007. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u16365. ISBN 978-0-19-954089-1. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  5. ^ "Sir Angus Fraser". Daily Telegraph. 7 June 2001. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  6. ^ Sampson, Anthony (15 June 2001). "Sir Angus Fraser". the Guardian. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  7. ^ Angus Fraser (23 February 1995). The Gypsies. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-631-19605-1.
Government offices
Preceded by First Civil Service Commissioner
1981–1983 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chairman of the
Board of Customs and Excise
1983–1987 		Succeeded by