Kenneth Bloomfield facts for kids
Sir Kenneth Percy Bloomfield (born April 15, 1931 – died May 31, 2025) was a very important public servant in Northern Ireland. He was the top leader of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, which is like the main team of people who help run the government. Later, he also helped find victims of conflict and was a special helper for victims in Northern Ireland. He held many other important jobs too.
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Early Life and Education
Ken Bloomfield was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1931. His parents were from England. He grew up near a railway station in East Belfast. From 1943 to 1949, he went to a school called the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. After that, he studied history at St Peter's College, Oxford University. He was married and had two children. In 1988, there was an attack on his home, but Sir Ken and his wife were not hurt.
A Career in Public Service
Ken Bloomfield joined the Civil Service in 1952. This is a group of people who work for the government. In 1974, he became a top official for the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland.
Leading the Civil Service
After that government ended, he became a top leader for the Department of the Environment. He also worked for the Department of Economic Development. On December 1, 1984, he became the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. This was the most important job for a civil servant in Northern Ireland. In this role, he gave advice to government ministers on many different topics. He retired from this important job in April 1991.
Helping Others After Retirement
After retiring, Sir Ken continued to help in many ways. He became the Chairman for the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission. He also led his old school, the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. He even helped with political changes in Jersey, an island near France.
In 1997, he was asked to become the Northern Ireland Victims Commissioner. His job was to write a report about how to help victims of conflict in Northern Ireland. This report was called We Will Remember Them and was published in 1998. From 1991 to 1999, he also worked for the BBC as their National Governor for Northern Ireland.
Later Life and Passing
Sir Ken Bloomfield passed away on May 31, 2025, at the age of 94.
Awards and Recognition
Sir Ken Bloomfield received a Knighthood in 1987. This means he was given the title "Sir" for his important work. He also received special degrees from several universities, including The Queen's University of Belfast. He was also a member of the Royal Irish Academy, a group that promotes learning.
Books by Sir Ken Bloomfield
Sir Ken Bloomfield also wrote several books:
- A New Life (2008)
- A Tragedy of Errors (2007)
- We will remember them (1998)
- Stormont in Crisis, a memoir (1994)
- "The BBC at the Watershed" (2008)
See also
