From Gayton Road to Pennsylvania Avenue:
education, diplomacy and the special relationship

Sir Nigel Sheinwald, British Ambassador to the USA

Gayton Lecture - 21 May 2011

Nigel Sheinwald joined the British Diplomatic Service in 1976 and has served in Washington (twice), Brussels (twice) and Moscow and in a wide range of policy jobs in London.

He took up his position as British Ambassador to the United States in October 2007. In that role he leads the Embassy in Washington and nine Consulates-General around the United States. He had an earlier posting to Washington in 1983-87 as First Secretary (Political) in the Embassy.

Before becoming Ambassador in Washington, Nigel served as Foreign Policy and Defence Adviser to the Prime Minister from 2003-2007.

Nigel's first foreign posting was in Moscow in 1978-79. He was also Head of the Foreign Office's Anglo-Soviet Section in 1981-83.

Nigel was born in 1953 and educated at Harrow County Grammar School and Balliol College, Oxford. He is married with three sons.

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