Peter Westmacott
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 23 December 1950 Edington, Somerset, UK |
Nationality | 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
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
- ↑ "Senior Diplomatic Appointments". Number 10. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- ↑ Daily Mirror 29 August 2006
- ↑ www.ceuropeens.org
External links
Diplomatic posts | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Sir David Logan |
British Ambassador to Turkey 2002–2006 |
Succeeded by Nick Baird |
Preceded by Sir John Holmes |
Ambassador of the United Kingdom to
France 2007–2012 |
Succeeded by Sir Peter Ricketts |
Preceded by Sir Nigel Sheinwald |
British Ambassador to the United States 2012- |
Succeeded by Incumbent |