Sir Geoffrey Tantam, who has died aged 83, was a senior MI6 officer and Middle East knowledgeable who, each throughout and after his service, was key to fostering good relations with Gulf nations, significantly Bahrain.
Geoffrey Alan Tantum, son of George Tantum and the previous Margaret Goosey, was born on 12 November 1940 and educated at Hampton Grammar, High Wycombe. He joined the Army in his 1959 yr and retired in 1966. He was transferred from the Intelligence Force to the Royal Marines Commando Brigade after which served on energetic responsibility in Borneo, the place he was posted to the Special Boat Division (SBS) with Paddy Ashdown (later Leader). Liberal Democratic Party).
Tantum maintained a lifelong love for the Marine Corps, donating generously to SBS charities and incessantly sporting an SBS tie. He left the Army and studied Oriental Studies at St. John’s College, Oxford, the place he graduated with a First Class in Judo. In 1969 he joined his MI6, the place he was once more positioned within the service of Paddy Ashdown.
The bulk of Tantum’s time at MI6 was spent in and across the Middle East, starting with a posting to Kuwait in 1970. His subsequent abroad assignments included Aden, Amman and Rome, the place Tantam was appointed as a counselor in 1985. His work in London included: The coaching and recruitment department of MI6, culminating within the position of Middle East Controller.
At 6 toes 3 inches tall, Tantum is exact in his phrases and ideas, and at instances has a brusque demeanor, however he might be unintentionally intimidating. Some workers members nickname him Tantrum, others Eeyore, and nonetheless others his clipboard with legs. But all agreed that exterior the workplace, he was good firm, charming and humorous, with a superb sarcastic humorousness.
An completed pianist, he was often known as an “absolute hitter of jazz numbers.” His pals discovered him beneficiant and constant, particularly to his former subordinates who encountered difficulties in his later profession.
Although not often known as a case officer, he was revered for his skill to work properly with Arabs, establishing and sustaining sustained high-level contacts. His Arabic was dignified quite than colloquial and, within the phrases of a colleague, his “frequent funeral orations have been significantly hanging…his quintessentially British character was not misplaced within the hottest climate.” But it was clear from the neat go well with and tie and the profound, maybe extreme, politeness.”
But he was additionally able to the mundane touches throughout his travels, the place he was usually seen chatting amiably with resort workers and complimenting the musicians enjoying within the foyer.