Sir Roy Denman was born 12 June 1924, the son of Albert Edward and Gertrude Ann Denman; he was educated at Harrow Grammar School and St John’s College, Cambridge. In 1966 he married Moya Lade; one son one daughter.

After his war service 1943-46 (Major, Royal Signals), Denman joined the Board of Trade in 1948, working as Assistant Private Secretary to successive Presidents, 1950-52. From then on his career included: 1st Secretary, British Embassy, Bonn [Germany], 1957-60; UK Delegation, Geneva [Switzerland], 1960-61; Counsellor, Geneva, 1965-67; Under-Secretary, 1967-70, Board of Trade; Deputy Secretary: Department of Trade and Industry, 1970-74; Department of Trade, 1974-75; Second Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, 1975-77; Director-General for External Affairs, EEC Commission, 1977-82; Head, Commission of European Communities Delegation in Washington [United States], 1982-89; Business Fellow, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, 1989-90. Member, negotiating delegation with European Communities, 1970-72. Member, British Overseas Trade Board, 1972-75.

His honours include: KCB 1977 (CB 1972); CMG 1968. Sir Roy died in April 2006.