Sir Alan Peacock has, in his time, been a wartime sea-going naval officer (1942–45), Professor of Economics in four major universities (1957–1988), Chief Economic Adviser of DTI (1973–76) and then Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the Independent University of Buckingham (1980–85). During retirement he has continued to act as a consultant to government, international agencies (including OECD and IMF) and professional bodies. He is no stranger to economic controversies, particularly those concerning the arts, broadcasting and climate change. He was knighted for public service in 1987.