Nigel Sheinwald
Encyclopedia
Sir Nigel Elton Sheinwald GCMG (born 26 June 1953) is a senior British diplomat, currently HM Ambassador to the United States of America, appointed in October 2007.
In June 2011, the Prime Minister's Office
announced that Sir Peter Westmacott
, currently HM Ambassador to the French Republic will replace Sir Nigel in January 2012 as British Ambassador to the US.
.
from 1978 to 1979 and was Head of the Foreign Office Anglo-Soviet Section from 1981 to 1983. From 1983 to 1987 he worked in the political section of the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.
From 1987 to 1989 he was Deputy Head of the Foreign Office's Policy Planning Staff. He was Deputy Head of the Foreign Office's European Union (Internal) Department from 1989 to 1992 and Head of the UK Representations Political and Institutional Section in Brussels from 1993 to 1995.
Sheinwald was Foreign Office Press Secretary from 1995 to 1998 and Europe Director from 1998 to 2000 before serving as the UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the European Union from 2000 to 2003. Between 2003 and 2007 he served as Foreign Policy and Defence Adviser under Prime Minister Tony Blair
and as Head of the Cabinet Office Defence and Overseas Secretariat. He is credited with successfully negotiating the release of 15 Royal Navy personnel from Iran in 2007
. He made a critical breakthrough in the standoff during a call with the head of Iran's supreme national security council, Ali Larijani
. In October 2007 he was appointed Ambassador to the United States.
Sheinwald was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
(CMG) in 1998, advanced to knighthood as a Knight Commander (KCMG) in 2000, and promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the same Order (GCMG) in 2011.
In June 2011, the Prime Minister's Office
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
announced that Sir Peter Westmacott
Peter Westmacott
Sir Peter John Westmacott, KCMG, LVO is a senior British diplomat, currently serving as HM Ambassador to the French Republic....
, currently HM Ambassador to the French Republic will replace Sir Nigel in January 2012 as British Ambassador to the US.
Education
Sheinwald was born in London, England, and educated at Harrow County School for Boys and at Balliol College, OxfordBalliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
.
Career
Sheinwald worked in the Foreign Office on Japan from 1976 to 1977 and Zimbabwe from 1979 to 1981. He served in MoscowMoscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
from 1978 to 1979 and was Head of the Foreign Office Anglo-Soviet Section from 1981 to 1983. From 1983 to 1987 he worked in the political section of the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
From 1987 to 1989 he was Deputy Head of the Foreign Office's Policy Planning Staff. He was Deputy Head of the Foreign Office's European Union (Internal) Department from 1989 to 1992 and Head of the UK Representations Political and Institutional Section in Brussels from 1993 to 1995.
Sheinwald was Foreign Office Press Secretary from 1995 to 1998 and Europe Director from 1998 to 2000 before serving as the UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the European Union from 2000 to 2003. Between 2003 and 2007 he served as Foreign Policy and Defence Adviser under Prime Minister Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
and as Head of the Cabinet Office Defence and Overseas Secretariat. He is credited with successfully negotiating the release of 15 Royal Navy personnel from Iran in 2007
2007 Iranian seizure of Royal Navy personnel
Iranian military personnel seized 15 Royal Navy personnel during 2007 and held them for 13 days. On 23 March 2007, 15 British Royal Navy personnel, from HMS Cornwall, searching a merchant vessel were surrounded by the Navy of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and subsequently detained off the...
. He made a critical breakthrough in the standoff during a call with the head of Iran's supreme national security council, Ali Larijani
Ali Larijani
Ali Ardashir Larijani is an Iranian philosopher, politician and the chairman of the Iranian parliament. Larijani was the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council from August 15, 2005 to October 20, 2007, appointed to the position by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,replacing Hassan Rowhani...
. In October 2007 he was appointed Ambassador to the United States.
Sheinwald was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(CMG) in 1998, advanced to knighthood as a Knight Commander (KCMG) in 2000, and promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the same Order (GCMG) in 2011.