Early career Grey began his legal career as a
clerk before practising as a
barrister. He was appointed a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand in 1932. He joined the
Colonial Administrative Service in 1936, as a probationer.
Nigeria The following year he was an administrative
service cadet at
Lagos in
Nigeria. After World War II, he was promoted Assistant Financial Secretary in 1949. Two years later, he was an Administrative Officer First Class, quickly moving up to Deputy Secretary. He was Secretary to the Governor-General and General Council of Ministers in 1954, and Chief Secretary of the Federation the following year. Two years later he was raised up as Deputy Governor-General until just before independence in 1959. 's
banner West Indies Grey was transferred to
British Guiana as Governor and Commander-in-Chief for five years. As befitted a Governor he was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (GCMG) in 1964. Grey became Governor of the
Bahamas in 1964. A 1965 Order deemed the Governor of the Bahamas to also be the Governor of the
Turks and Caicos Islands. Grey remained in both posts until 1968.
Northern Ireland That year Grey became
Governor of Northern Ireland during the period of civil rights marches and increasing levels of street violence. The
IRA announced a 'bombing campaign' against British rule which reached new intensity in 1971–72. In the depths of an economic recession, local government was suspended;
Northern Ireland was subjected to
Direct Rule from
Westminster, and Lord Grey of Naunton was recalled. During the same period he was President of the
Scout Council of Northern Ireland. From 1970 Grey was appointed Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries of Northern Ireland, supporting industry as an Honorary Member of the Chambers of Commerce and Honorary President of the Lisburn Chamber of Commerce. From 1970 he was also an Honorary Bencher of the Inns of Court for Northern Ireland. Lord Grey of Naunton was the last Governor of Northern Ireland until 1973, having been appointed on 11 November 1968. He took office on 3 December 1968. When the post was abolished in 1973, he was promoted Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO). At the same time, he was Knight Commander of Ards, then Bailiff of Egle from 1975, until appointment as Lord Prior of the
Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (1988–91). == Memberships ==