Sir Peter Westmacott

Sir Peter Westmacott is a distinguished British former diplomat who served as Her Majesty's Ambassador to three major allied nations. His career culminated in the prestigious post of British Ambassador to the United States from 2012 to 2016, following postings as ambassador to France and Turkey. Known for his expertise in transatlantic and European affairs, Westmacott has remained an influential voice in international policy through various advisory and corporate roles since his retirement from the Foreign Office.

Early life and education

Peter Westmacott was born in 1948 and educated at St Paul's School in London. He subsequently attended Exeter College, Oxford, where he read French and Persian, laying an early foundation for his future diplomatic focus on Europe and the Middle East. His linguistic skills and academic background prepared him for entry into the British Civil Service, and he successfully joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the early 1970s, embarking on a career that would span over four decades.

Diplomatic career

Westmacott's early postings included roles in Iran and Jordan, followed by a position as Private Secretary to the Minister of State for Europe in London. He served as Head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's European Union Department during the negotiation of the Maastricht Treaty and later became the Foreign Policy Adviser to Prime Minister John Major. In 1998, he was appointed British Ambassador to Turkey, where he navigated complex bilateral issues and supported Turkey's bid for accession to the European Union. In 2007, he became British Ambassador to France, managing the critical relationship during the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy and working on key issues like European defence and climate policy. His final ambassadorial role was as British Ambassador to the United States in Washington, D.C., where he served under Presidents Barack Obama and the early tenure of Donald Trump, addressing pivotal matters such as the Iran nuclear deal, the war in Afghanistan, and the UK's EU referendum.

Post-diplomatic roles and activities

Upon concluding his service in Washington, D.C., Westmacott transitioned into several prominent positions in the private and non-profit sectors. He joined the board of the International Rescue Committee and became a Senior Adviser to the Cohen Group, a strategic consulting firm founded by former United States Secretary of Defense William Cohen. He also serves as a Senior Adviser to Chatham House (the Royal Institute of International Affairs) and holds a professorial fellowship at Yale University's Jackson School of Global Affairs. Furthermore, he is a member of the International Advisory Council of the Bahrain Economic Development Board and contributes to the advisory board of Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

Personal life

Sir Peter is married to Lady (Susanna) Westmacott, a former journalist and daughter of the businessman Sir John Coats. The couple has three children. His personal interests include the arts, history, and sailing. He is a noted francophile, a passion cultivated during his ambassadorship in Paris and his academic studies.

Honours and awards

For his diplomatic service, Peter Westmacott was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the 2005 New Year Honours. He is also a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour. In 2016, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Exeter in recognition of his contributions to international relations.

Category:British diplomats Category:Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to the United States Category:Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to France Category:1948 births Category:Living people