Patrick Nairne

Patrick Dalmahoy Nairne
Born	15 August 1921
Died	4 June 2013 (aged 91)
Nationality	British
Alma mater	Radley College University College, Oxford
Occupation	Civil Servant
Spouse(s)	Penelope Chauncy Bridges (1948–2014)

Sir Patrick Nairne GCB MC PC (15 August 1921 – 4 June 2013) was a senior British civil servant. He was Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Security and Master of St Catherine's College, Oxford (1981–88). Nairne was a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, appointed in 1982 when he became a member of Lord Franks' official inquiry into the Falklands War, and a governor of the Ditchley Foundation. He was Chancellor of the University of Essex from 1982 to 1997. He was an Honorary Fellow of University College, Oxford. Nairne was the first Chair of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics from 1991-1996.

Patrick Nairne was the father of Sandy Nairne, Director of the National Portrait Gallery. His other sons are twins, Andrew Nairne, Director of Kettle's Yard Cambridge and James Nairne, Head of Art at Cranleigh School. He also had three daughters.