- 1984 – 1987 BA Hons (Philosophy and Politics) University of Southampton, 1996 – 1999 MBA (Open University).
2011- 2014 Director, Consular Services, FCO. Responsible for crisis response, the consular network, and the provision of global consular assistance to UK nationals
- 2009- 2011 Assistant Director, HR-Services, HR Directorate, FCO. Responsible for strategic workforce planning, pay, allowances, health, and welfare
- 2006 – 2009 Deputy Head of Mission and Counsellor (Political and Economic Affairs) British Embassy, Madrid
- 2004- 2006 Head of G8 Presidency Team, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
- 1999- 2004 First Secretary (Economics and Finance) UK Permanent Representation to the EU. Responsible for negotiating a wide variety of economic and financial instruments, including 6 months on the EU Budget Committee
- 1998-1999 Press Officer, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (including UK Press spokesman at the Kosovo Peace talks, Rambouillet, and a short spell as head of the British Office in Pristina)
- 1996-1998 Second Secretary (Political and Press) British Embassy Prague
- 1993-1995 Desk Officer, Security Policy Dept, Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Responsible for European Security issues, especially the WEU and NATO
- 1987-1993 British Army: Captain, the Gordon Highlanders (Languages: French, Spanish, Czech)