No, Norman Foster is no longer a lord. Although he was created a life peer in 1999, he resigned from the House of Lords in 2010.
Norman Foster's Peerage Status
Norman Foster, the renowned architect, was indeed elevated to the peerage in 1999. He was created a life peer as Baron Foster of Thames Bank, of Reddish in the County of Greater Manchester. During his time in the House of Lords, he served as a Crossbencher, signifying his independence from any particular political party.
However, Lord Foster resigned from the House of Lords in 2010. This decision stemmed from his refusal to pay UK taxes on his foreign earnings. Consequently, he no longer holds the active title of a lord in the parliamentary sense.
A Timeline of Recognition and Peerage
Norman Foster has received numerous accolades throughout his distinguished career, reflecting his significant contributions to architecture and design. His journey to and from the peerage can be summarized as follows:
| Year | Event/Recognition | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Knighted | Bestowed the title "Sir" for his contributions. |
| 1997 | Appointed to the Order of Merit | A prestigious honor granted by the monarch, recognizing exceptional service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. |
| 1999 | Created Life Peer | Elevated to the peerage as Baron Foster of Thames Bank, becoming a member of the House of Lords. |
| 2010 | Resigned from House of Lords | Stepped down from his position in Parliament due to a dispute over paying UK taxes on his foreign earnings. |
Why the Resignation from the House of Lords?
The primary reason for Baron Foster of Thames Bank's resignation from the House of Lords was his stance on taxation. He refused to pay UK taxes on his foreign earnings, a position that led to his departure from the legislative body. This highlights a principle of accountability for members of Parliament, even those holding life peerages. Although he no longer sits in the House of Lords, his historical recognition as a baron and his impactful career remain part of his biographical details, which can be explored further in official biographical archives.
Norman Foster continues to be a highly influential figure in global architecture, leading Foster + Partners, one of the world's most prominent architectural firms.
