Stephen Bradley

Who is Stephen Bradley?

Stephen Edward Bradley is a British diplomat who was Consul-General to Hong Kong from 2003 to 2008. His term of office ended on 4 April 2008. Earlier, from 1988 to 1993, he served in the Hong Kong Government as Deputy Political Adviser. He is known in Chinese as 柏聖文.

As the Consul-General Bradley headed the British Consulate-General, Hong Kong, the largest of Britain's consulates-general and bigger than many embassies, which is responsible for maintaining British ties with Hong Kong and Macao.

Bradley began his career in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1980, and has served in Tokyo, Paris and Beijing.

Born in New York, Bradley came to Hong Kong in 1977 to visit his then girlfriend, now wife, Elizabeth. The couple have two children, who are both permanent residents of Hong Kong, and one of whom was born in Hong Kong. Bradley himself was also a permanent resident of the territory, before renouncing it to take up the position as Consul-General. He publicly spoke of his intention to re-apply as a Hong Kong Permanent Resident, and to stay in the territory after his retirement.

An unprecedented open recruitment exercise was held to search for Bradley's successor.