Peter Westmacott

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His Excellency
Sir Peter Westmacott
KCMG LVO
Her Majesty's Ambassador to the United States
Incumbent
Assumed office
2012
Monarch Elizabeth II
Prime Minister David Cameron
Preceded by Sir Nigel Sheinwald
Her Majesty's Ambassador to France
In office
2007–2012
Monarch Elizabeth II
Prime Minister Gordon Brown;
David Cameron
Preceded by Sir John Holmes
Succeeded by Sir Peter Ricketts
Her Majesty's Ambassador to Turkey
In office
2002–2006
Monarch Elizabeth II
Prime Minister Tony Blair
Preceded by Sir David Logan
Succeeded by Nick Baird
Personal details
Born Peter John Westmacott
(1950-12-23) 23 December 1950
Edington, Somerset, UK
Nationality United Kingdom British
Spouse(s) Susie, née Nemazee
Relations Rev Preb Ian Westmacott (father);
Capt Herbert Westmacott (cousin)
Children 4
Residence Washington DC
Alma mater New College, Oxford
Occupation Diplomat
Religion Anglican
Website gov.uk/world/usa

Sir Peter John Westmacott, KCMG LVO (born 23 December 1950) is a senior British diplomat, who effective January 2012 is Her Majesty's Ambassador to the United States of America, in succession to Sir Nigel Sheinwald.

The Prime Minister's Office announced Sir Peter's appointment on 24 June 2011.[1]

Career

KCMG Badge and Breast Star

Sir Peter joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1972, and his first overseas posting was as Second Secretary at Tehran, Iran, in 1974. In 1978, he was sent to the European Commission in Brussels, and from 1980 to 1984 he was in Paris. After a period in London he was in Ankara as Head of Chancery from 1987.

In 1990 he was Deputy Private Secretary to HRH The Prince of Wales, and in 1993 was sent to Washington to serve as a Counsellor. Later postings included Director for the Americas in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Deputy Under Secretary of State.

From 2002–06, Sir Peter was HM Ambassador to Turkey where, in 2003, he dealt with a suicide bomb attack directed at the British Consulate in Istanbul, killing 15 people; thereafter he was closely involved in negotiations attempting to bring Turkey into the EU. Formerly HM Ambassador to France since 2007, he took over as HM Ambassador to the United States in January 2012.

Personal life

Westmacott was educated at Taunton School before going to New College, Oxford. In 2001, he married, as his second wife, Susan Nemazee.

Sir Peter is the son of Rev Preb Ian Westmacott, by his wife Rosemary, née Spencer. His cousin, Captain Herbert Westmacott MC, was killed by the Provisional Irish Republican Army in 1980.[2]

Honours and awards

  • Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) - 2003
  • Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) - 1993
  • Commandeur, Legion of Honour[3] - 2008

References

External links

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Sir David Logan
British Ambassador to Turkey
20022006
Succeeded by
Nick Baird
Preceded by
Sir John Holmes
Ambassador of the United Kingdom to France
20072012
Succeeded by
Sir Peter Ricketts
Preceded by
Sir Nigel Sheinwald
British Ambassador to the United States
2012-
Succeeded by
Incumbent
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