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Anthony St John

Non-Executive Chairman, Director & Advisor

London, UK

Anthony St John

Rory St Johnston

McLaren Capital

Anthony St John’s Biography

The Lord St John of Bletso is a crossbench (independent) peer with Special Parliamentary Interests that include FinTech, education, Southern Africa, wildlife conservation and the environment. He is also a highly respected businessman, solicitor, philanthropist and he was Extra Lord in Waiting to HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Anthony St John took up his seat in the House of Lords in 1978 and has served on many Select Committees including on Artificial Intelligence/Robotics, Communications, and is a Past President of Friends of South Africa. He is currently Vice Chairman of All Party Parliamentary Groups on South Africa, Zimbabwe, Endangered Species, and a Council Member of the Parliamentary Information Technology Committee.

Anthony was educated in South Africa where he qualified as an attorney (solicitor). He began his career at Shell, working as a legal adviser and auditor before moving to the UK to complete his Master of Laws (LLM) at the LSE. Following his admittance as a Registered Representative of the London Stock Exchange, Anthony worked for over 20 years in financial services, initially... The Lord St John of Bletso is a crossbench (independent) peer with Special Parliamentary Interests that include FinTech, education, Southern Africa, wildlife conservation and the environment. He is also a highly respected businessman, solicitor, philanthropist and he was Extra Lord in Waiting to HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Anthony St John took up his seat in the House of Lords in 1978 and has served on many Select Committees including on Artificial Intelligence/Robotics, Communications, and is a Past President of Friends of South Africa. He is currently Vice Chairman of All Party Parliamentary Groups on South Africa, Zimbabwe, Endangered Species, and a Council Member of the Parliamentary Information Technology Committee.

Anthony was educated in South Africa where he qualified as an attorney (solicitor). He began his career at Shell, working as a legal adviser and auditor before moving to the UK to complete his Master of Laws (LLM) at the LSE. Following his admittance as a Registered Representative of the London Stock Exchange, Anthony worked for over 20 years in financial services, initially as an oil analyst for County NatWest Securities. He went on to work for Smith New Court before acting as senior consultant to Merrill Lynch, focussing on Southern Africa, the Far East and Parliamentary liaison.

He has served on the boards of both public and private companies and is currently Chairman of Yellow Cake plc, Integrated Diagnostic Holdings plc and Strand Hanson Ltd. Anthony also advises and mentors several SMEs, with a particular focus on FinTech and Southern Africa.

Anthony is a dedicated philanthropist and acts as a Trustee to six charities including the Nick Maughan Foundation, the Berkshire Youth Trust, and The Life Neurological Research Trust.

In 1998, Lord St John was appointed as Extra Lord in Waiting to HM Queen Elizabeth II, a position he held until she passed in 2022. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Anthony St John’s Newsfeed

LinkedIn

The Interceptor Gap - The Changing Economics of Drone Warfare

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LinkedIn

Climate Change - Hope is not a resilience strategy

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Anthony St John’s Background

House of Lords

Crossbencher

Dec 1978 - Mar 2026

London, UK

Anthony took his seat in the UK Parliament’s House of Lords in 1978. He sat as a Crossbencher, or Independent, and he was not aligned to any political party. He retired from the House of Lords at the end of March 2026.

Merrill Lynch

Consultant

1991 - 2008

London, UK

Anthony acted as a consultant to Smith New Court until 1996, and thereafter Merrill Lynch International. His work focused on corporate broking, particularly in Southern Africa and the Far East, as well as Parliamentary liaison.

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Anthony St John’s Gallery

Anthony with two members of Christel House

Anthony shaking the hands of one of the children from Christel House.

Speaking at the podium at a Christel House event.

Anthony speaking at the opening reception of the Czech China Entrepreneur's Forum CCEF.

Anthony St. John giving an award at a Christel House event.

Anthony St john posing with an award winner.

Anthony St John at the podium, speaking at Czech China Entrepreneur's Forum CCEF.

Anthony with two members of Christel House

Anthony shaking the hands of one of the children from Christel House.

Speaking at the podium at a Christel House event.

Anthony speaking at the opening reception of the Czech China Entrepreneur's Forum CCEF.

Anthony St. John giving an award at a Christel House event.

Anthony St john posing with an award winner.

Anthony St John at the podium, speaking at Czech China Entrepreneur's Forum CCEF.

Current Board Positions

All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)

Vice Chairman

An All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) is a collaborative forum that unites MPs and members of the House of Lords from various political parties to concentrate on a particular issue, sector, or country.

APPGs facilitate discussion, gather evidence, and generate reports or recommendations to inform debate and influence policy. However, it is important to note that they do not possess formal legislative authority.

Gulf Marine Services plc

Senior Independent Director

May 2021 - Present

Gulf Marine Services (GMS) manages a fleet of versatile self-propelled lift boats. In March 2014 the company was listed on the London Stock Exchange. Anthony St John was appointed Senior Independent Director in August 2023, having served as a Non-Executive Director since 2021.

KneoWorld UK Ltd

Non-Executive Director

2019 - Present

London, UK

Anthony serves as a non-remunerated Director on KneoWorld's digital platform offering educational programmes aimed at children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Yellow Cake plc

Non-Executive Chairman

2018 - Present

Saint Helier, JE

Yellow Cake is a specialist company focused on the purchase and storage of Uranium Oxide.

Integrated Diagnostics Holdings plc

Non-Executive Chairman

May 2015 - Present

London, UK

Integrated Diagnostics Holdings is the largest medical diagnostics business in the Middle East and South Asia. IDH provides superior medical diagnostics services to more than 5 million patients annually.

Strand Hanson Ltd

Non-Executive Chairman

2015 - Present

London, UK

Strand Hanson is an independent financial advisory boutique, primarily focused on the natural resources sector in Southern Africa.

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Previous Board Positions

Empati Ltd

Non-Executive Director

2019 - 2021

London, UK

Empati is a private company seeking to promote renewable energy solutions in emerging markets.

Falcon Group

Non-Executive Director

2016 - 2021

Dubai, AE

A specialist finance company providing tailored and flexible financing options that enable mid-cap companies to grow quickly and efficiently, as well as assisting large corporations to enhance growth.

Albion Ventures LLP

Non-Executive Director

2007 - 2020

London, UK

Albion Capital is a leading independent investment manager with a long-term record of backing change and growth.

Globix UK

Chairman

1995 - 2006

London, UK

Globix built and managed one the largest data centre ISP in the UK.

Airport Holdings Ltd

Non-Executive Director

2022 - 2024

Port Louis, MU

Airport Holdings Ltd is the owner of Air Mauritius, the flag carrier airline of Mauritius.

Choice International Mauritius Ltd (Now: Klearium)

Non-Executive Director

2019 - Jun 2025

Choice International Mauritius Limited (now Klearium) is a FinTech solutions provider with expertise in cost-effective and rapid international trade payments available to businesses in Africa and Southern Asia.

Smithson Investment Trust plc

Non-Executive Director & Chair of Audit Committee

2018 - 2024

London, UK

Smithson Investment Trust is an investment trust that raised a record £822m in 2018, the year it was established.

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Current Advisory Roles

Global Family Capital

Advisor

Mar 2026 - Present

Global Family Capital is an international investment and advisory firm that works with entrepreneurial families, family offices and private investors on long-term capital allocation and strategic growth. It focuses on direct investments, co-investment opportunities and partnership-driven deals across sectors, with an emphasis on aligning interests over multi-generational horizons.

Geobear

Advisor/Mentor

Feb 2020 - Present

London, UK

Founded in the 1970s, Geobear is a private engineering business focussed on underpinning for subsidence of both public and private sectors.

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Previous Advisory Roles

FarmaTrust

Advisor

2017 - 2021

London, UK

Anthony acted as an unpaid advisor to FarmaTrust, a company that uses blockchain technology to counter the threat of counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs.

17ARM

Advisory Board Member

2017 - 2021

Dubai, AE

Based in Dubai and Jersey, 17ARM is a provider of global asset tracing and corporate intelligence.

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Philanthropy

Pall Mall Family Office

Founding Shareholder & Advisory Board Member

2016 - Present

London, UK

Pall Mall Family Office has three priorities: uncompromising service, transparency and the interests of the families it serves.

Nick Maughan Foundation

Trustee

As a Trustee of the Nick Maughan Foundation Anthony advises on donations to well-managed charities, focused primarily in Africa.

Berkshire Youth Trust

Trustee

The Berkshire Youth Trust has been providing exceptional support services to under-privileged young people in Berkshire for over 75 years.

Harpenden Spotlight in Africa

Trustee

London, UK

Harpenden Spotlight in Africa is a charitable organisation that is focused on the health, development and education of children and communities in Eastern Uganda.

Alexandra Rose Charities

Vice President

Jan 2010 - Present

Surrey, UK

Works with small charities and community organisations throughout the UK helping them raise funds.

Christel House Europe

Trustee

Apr 2010 - Present

Indianapolis, US

Christel House helps disadvantaged children all around the world to escape the cycle of poverty and develop into self-sufficient, contributing members of their communities.

Television Trust for the Environment (TVE)

Trustee Emeritus

Mar 2010 - Present

London, UK

Television Trust for the Environment (TVE) works with filmmakers and partners worldwide to make and distribute films that put the environment and sustainability on the global agenda.

Tusk Trust

Member of Global Advisory Board

Apr 2000 - Present

Dorset, UK

TUSK Trust initiates and funds conservation and community developments across Africa.

Afrika Tikkun UK

Former Trustee

Established in 1994, Afrika Tikkun (previously known as MaAfrika Tikkun) is a charitable organisation with an aim to enable the development and transformation of disadvantaged communities in South Africa.

The Life Neurological Research Trust

Trustee

London, UK

The Life Neurological Research Trust's mission was to raise awareness for neurological diseases and to fund research and targeted projects.

The Helen Feather Memorial Trust

Trustee

Mar 2002 - Present

London, UK

The aims of the Trust are to support people with cancer and raise money for carefully selected Cancer Research Projects.

Citizens Online

Patron

Founded in 2000, Citizens Online is a charity with an aim to explore and assist the impact of the internet on today’s society, without the exclusion of anyone.

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Media

Climate Change - Hope it's not a resilience strategy

Article

Aug 2026

London, UK

Anthony highlights the need for the climate debate to increasingly focus on resilience and preparation, examining how extreme weather can affect infrastructure, financial systems, food and water security, supply chains and national security. He advocates earlier investment in resilient infrastructure and technologies, including data and AI-led forecasting, to help governments, businesses and communities adapt to changing conditions rather than simply respond to crises.

The Longer View

Newsletter

London, UK

View Anthony's Newsletter here...

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Interviews

YouTube

Podcast | The Deep End Podcast (Otso Lahtinen)

Dec 2025

This episode features Lord Anthony St John reflecting on his 46-year career in British politics, the House of Lords, and global affairs, covering topics such as leadership, democracy, and geopolitical shifts. It also delves into his views on emerging issues like AI, energy security, and the space economy, along with insights gained from his experiences in public service, business, and life.

Accreditation

London Stock Exchange

Registered Representative

1984

London, UK

Anthony was admitted as a Registered Representative of the London Stock Exchange in 1984.

Memberships

YPO

Member | Dubai

New York, NY, USA

YPO Dubai is a regional chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), a global network of chief executives and business leaders who have achieved significant leadership positions at a relatively young age.

The Dubai chapter connects members across the Middle East through peer learning, leadership development programmes, and curated events focused on business, governance, and personal growth.

Public Service

The Royal Household

Extra Lord in Waiting

1998 - 2022

In 1998, Anthony St John was made Extra Lord in Waiting to HM Queen Elizabeth II until her passing in 2022. His focus was specifically around Africa.

Academic Appointments

Bishops Diocesan College

Vice President | ODU

Apr 2026 - Present

Bishops Diocesan College is a prestigious independent boys' school in Cape Town, renowned for its robust academic tradition and focus on leadership, character development, and co-curricular excellence. The Vice President of the Old Diocesan Union (ODU) plays a key role in supporting the alumni network, enhancing engagement among former pupils, and contributing to the strategic direction of the association.

Speaking Engagements

YouTube

Speaker | Czech China Entrepreneur's Forum CCEF

Feb 2015

Anthony spoke at the Official Opening Reception of the Czech China Entrepeneurs Forum CCEF.

Money 20/20

Moderator

Jun 2022

Amsterdam, NL

Money20/20 is the world's largest fintech event, bringing together payments and financial services innovators for connected commerce. Anthony served as the Moderator on the Introducing New Era, the UK's first Digital Sterling Pilot panel on 9th June in Amsterdam.

Mentoring

Mentorship | Anthony St John

Mentor & Advisor

Anthony mentors young business owners at the early stages of building their ventures, offering guidance drawn from decades of experience across business and public life. His involvement reflects a continued focus on supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs as they navigate the challenges of starting and scaling companies.

Anthony St John’s Education

London School of Economics

LLM (Master of Laws) Chinese and Maritime Law

1982 - 1984

University of South Africa

BProc (Law)

1979 - 1982

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