Andrew Sparkes

Andrew Sparkes

Andrew Sparkes CMG (born 4 July 1959) is a former British diplomat who was ambassador to Democratic Republic of Congo, Kosovo and Nepal.

Career

Andrew James Sparkes was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham, Manchester Grammar School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He taught English in Japan 1981–82, then joined the Diplomatic Service. In his early career he served at Ankara, Bangkok, Jakarta and on secondment to the then Department of Trade and Industry.

Sparkes was Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa (and Consul-General for Johannesburg and Pretoria) 2001–04, Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo 2004–07, and Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo 2008–10. In 2010 he was seconded to the European Union as Deputy Head of the largest EU civilian mission in the world, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo. In 2013 he was appointed ambassador to Nepal.[1] He resigned from the Diplomatic Service in April 2015.[2]

Sparkes was appointed CMG in the 2007 Birthday Honours.[3]

References

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
James Atkinson
Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo
2004–2007
Succeeded by
Nicholas Kay
Preceded by
David Blunt
Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo
2008–2010
Succeeded by
Ian Cliff
Preceded by
John Tucknott
Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
2013–2015
Succeeded by
John Rankin