Sir John Burgh is the Director-General of the British Council, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls how he worked his way from an aircraft factory, through the Board of Trade, the Colonial Office, the Cabinet think tank and other Civil Service appointments to his present position, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Le Nozze Di Figaro Act 2 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Book: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Luxury: Transistor radio