Basil Stephen Talbot Eastwood (born 4 March 1944) is a former British Ambassador to the Syrian Arab Republic (from 1996 to 2000) and a former British Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation (2001 to 2004). He has held posts in Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Germany and Sudan (Head of Chancery, 1984). In 1998 he co-founded Cecily's Fund, a charity that helps Zambian orphans by funding their education. He is currently the Chair of the charity's International Advisory Panel. Education Basil Eastwood was educated at Eton College (from 1957 until 1962) and Merton College, Oxford, where he studied history, and, later, Arabic. References External links . Cecily's Fund website Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George Alumni of Merton College, Oxford People educated at Eton College Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Syria Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Switzerland Living people 1944 births