Nigel Sheinwald
Sir Nigel Elton Sheinwald | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 49th British Ambassador to the United States | |
| Assumed office 2007 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | David Manning |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 26, 1953 London, England |
| Spouse | Dr. Julia Dunne |
| Children | Three sons |
| Residence | Washington D.C. |
| Alma mater | Balliol College, Oxford |
| Occupation | British Ambassador to the United States of America |
| Profession | Career Diplomat |
| Website | "UK in USA" |
Sir Nigel Elton Sheinwald, KCMG (born June 26,1953 in London, England) is the current British Ambassador to the United States of America, appointed in October 2007. He is married to Dr. Julia Dunne, her British title is Lady Sheinwald, she is employed in the United States Federal Food and Drug Administration in the FDA's office of pediatric therapeutics; the Oxford-trained physician specializes in testing and regulation of children's medicine.[1] The couple have been married since 1980 and have three sons.
Career
Nigel Sheinwald joined the Diplomatic Service in 1976 and has served in Brussels (twice), Washington and Moscow and in a wide range of policy jobs in London.
He took up his appointment as British Ambassador to the United States in October 2007. For the previous four years he served as Foreign Policy and Defence Adviser to the Prime Minister and Head of the Cabinet Office Defence and Overseas Secretariat.
Nigel served in Moscow (1978-9) and was Head of the FCO Anglo-Soviet Section (1981-3). From 1983-7 he worked in the Political Section of the British Embassy in Washington. From 1987-9 he was Deputy Head of the FCOs Policy Planning Staff, responsible for transatlantic relations and other issues. Nigel Sheinwald has also worked on Japan (1976-7) and Zimbabwe (1979-81), including the Lancaster House Conference.
He was FCO Press Secretary and Head of News Department from 1995-8.
Nigel Sheinwald was the UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the European Union in Brussels from 2000-2003. Before that he was Europe Director in the FCO (1998-2000). He was Head of the UK Representations Political and Institutional Section in Brussels in 1993-5 and Deputy Head of the FCOs European Union (Internal) Department from 1989-92.
Nigel Sheinwald was born in 1953 and educated at Harrow County Grammar School and Balliol College, Oxford.
He was named British Ambassador to the United States of America in October 2007 and is based in Washington D.C.[2]
Hostage negotiations with Iran
Sir Nigel is credited with successfully negotiating the release 15 Royal Navy personnel from Iran in 2007.[3] He is said to have made the critical breakthrough during a call with the head of Iran's supreme national security council, Ali Larijani. [4]
Memo to Brown
Sir Nigel wrote a memo to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown detailing his observations of US Senator Barack Obama. The memo was written in preparation of Obama's visit with Prime Minister Brown in July 2008. It was leaked October 3, 2008.[5]
References
- ^ Washington Post "The British Ambassador's Wife, Pulling Double Duty" [1]
- ^ Foreign and Commonwealth Office "Sir Nigel Sheinwald's bio" [2]
- ^ Wikipedia "2007 Iranian Seizure of Royal Navy Personnel" [3]
- ^ LA Times "Hard-liners in Iran see a victory in standoff" [4]
- ^ The Telegraph "British ambassador discusses Obama" [5]
External links
- Sir Nigel Sheinwald speaks - The Los Angeles Times
- The British Ambassador's Wife, Pulling Double Duty - The Washington Post