Senior Diplomatic Service Appointments

11 Dec 2006 09:45 AM

On the appointment of new heads of mission to the British Embassy in Washington, the UK's Permanent Representation to the United Nations in New York and the UK's Permanent Representation to the European Union at Brussels, The Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP, has said:

"These are crucial posts for advancing British interests abroad. I am delighted that three such experienced and professional members of the Diplomatic Service have been appointed. I am sure they will do a splendid job".

Sir Nigel Sheinwald KCMG has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to the United States of America in succession to Sir David Manning KCMG who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Sir Nigel will take up his new appointment in the autumn of 2007.

Mr John Sawers CMG has been appointed as the United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York in succession to Sir Emyr Jones Parry KCMG who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Mr Sawers will hold the personal rank of Ambassador and will take up his new appointment in summer 2007.

Mr Kim Darroch CMG has been appointed as the United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the European Union at Brussels in succession to Sir John Grant KCMG, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Darroch will hold the personal rank of Ambassador and will take up his new appointment in autumn 2007.

Notes to Editors

The curricula vitae of the three appointees are:

Name: Sir Nigel Elton Sheinwald KCMG
Date of Birth: 26 June 1953
Married to: Julia
Children: three sons 1984, 1985, 1987

2003 - Present Foreign Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister and Head of the Cabinet Office Overseas and Defence Secretariat.
2000-03 Brussels, UK Perm Rep to the EU
1998-00 FCO, Europe Director
1995-98 FCO, Head of News Department
1993-95 Brussels (EU), Head of UK Representation's Political and Institutional Section
1989-92 FCO, Deputy Head European Union Department (Internal) 1987-89 FCO, Deputy Head, Policy Planning Staff
1983-87 Washington, Political Section
1981-83 FCO, Head of Anglo-Soviet Section
1979-81 Rhodesia/Zimbabwe Department
1978-79 Moscow, Political Section
1977-78 Russian language training
1976-77 FCO, Japan Desk

Name: Robert John Sawers CMG
Date of Birth: 26 July 1955
Married to: Shelley
Children: two sons 1983, 1985, one daughter 1987

2003 - present FCO, Director General for Political Affairs 2003 Baghdad, UK Special Representative
2001 - 2003 Cairo, Ambassador
1999 - 2001 Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister
1996 - 1999 Washington, Counsellor for Foreign and Defence Policy 1995 - 1996 Harvard, sabbatical
1993 - 1995 FCO, Principal Private Secretary to Foreign Secretary 1991 - 1992 FCO, Head of EU Presidency Planning Unit
1988 - 1991 Pretoria/Cape Town, First Secretary
1986 - 1987 FCO, Private Secretary to Minister of Sate
1984 - 1986 FCO, Desk Officer EU Department
1982 - 1984 Damascus, Political Officer
1977 - 1982 FCO

Name: Nigel Kim Darroch CMG
Date of Birth: 30 April 1954
Married to: Vanessa Claire
Children: one son 1983, one daughter 1986

2004-Present EU Adviser to the Prime Minister and Head of the Cabinet Office
European Secretariat
2003-04 FCO, Director-General for European Union Affairs 2000-03 FCO, Director for European Union Affairs
1998-00 FCO, Head of News Department
1997-98 Counsellor (External Relations), UK Permanent Representation to the EU, Brussels
1995-97 FCO, Head of Eastern Adriatic Department
1993-95 FCO, Assistant then Deputy Head of European Union Department 1989-92 First Secretary, Rome
1987-89 FCO, Private Secretary to Minister of State dealing with Middle East
1985-86 FCO, Maritime, Aviation and Environment Department 1980-84 Third later Second later First Secretary, Tokyo (External Affairs
and Defence)
1976-79 FCO

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