Diplomatic ties.(PAGE 3)(Brief article)

When former British Consul-General Bob Peirce invited Patrick Soon-Shiong to a reception for then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair three years ago this month, little did he know he would one day work for the biotech billionaire.

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Peirce, whose term as Los Angeles consul general for the United Kingdom ended in June, will join Soon-Shiong's Abraxis Bioscience LLC next month. He will help Soon-Shiong on his next big venture: rolling out a public-private initiative to create a national medical information system.

A South African native who immigrated with his family to England at an early age, Peirce, 54, spent 32 years in Britain's diplomatic corps. He aided in the negotiations between Britain and China that led to the hand-over of Hong Kong and he co-authored a report on policing practices in Northern Ireland. In 2005, he was appointed to the LA. consul general post, where he played host for the Blair visit and helped launch BritWeek, an annual celebration of British contributions to Los Angeles.

Peirce said in an interview that he was ready for a change after a career as a diplomat. But he wasn't keen about moving again.

"I was really hoping I could find something so that I could remain in Los Angeles. It's a really great place to live," Peirce said.

Staff reporters Charles Proctor, Howard Fine and Daniel Miller contributed to this column. Page 3 is compiled by editor Charles Crumpley. He can be reached at crumpley@labusinessjournal.com.

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