Christopher Prentice
Christopher Norman Russell Prentice CMG (born 5 September 1954) is a retired British diplomat. His last diplomatic post was Ambassador to Italy.[1] He is currently Chairman of the Governors of the British Institute of Florence.[2]
Christopher Prentice | |
|---|---|
Prentice in 2012 | |
| Her Majesty's Ambassador to Italy | |
| In office 2011–2016 | |
| Preceded by | Edward Chaplin |
| Succeeded by | Jill Morris |
| Her Majesty's Ambassador to Iraq | |
| In office 2007–2009 | |
| Preceded by | Dominic Asquith |
| Succeeded by | Sir John Jenkins |
| Her Majesty's Ambassador to Jordan | |
| In office 2002–2006 | |
| Preceded by | Edward Chaplin |
| Succeeded by | James Watt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 September 1954 Southwark, London |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse | Marie-Josephine |
| Children | 4 (2 sons, 2 daughters) |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
Prentice had been a British diplomat since 1977. From 2002 to 2006 he served as British Ambassador to Jordan, and from 2007 to 2009 as Ambassador to Iraq.
Personal life edit
Born in The Borough, London, Prentice is a former cricketer who played a single first-class cricket match for Oxford University, scoring 4 and 19 in a game against Worcestershire.[3]
Prentice speaks fluent Arabic and Hungarian. He is married to Marie-Josephine (Nina) with whom he has two sons and two daughters. One daughter, Helen, a doctor, married his predecessor's nephew, Mark, Viscount Asquith in May 2008 in Ashbury, Oxfordshire.
Prentice was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2009 Birthday Honours.[4]
Career edit
On 6 January 2010, Prentice gave evidence to the Iraq Inquiry.[5]
From March to May 2011 Prentice led the UK's diplomatic team in Libya which liaised closely with the opposition in Benghazi.[6]
Career highlights edit
- 1977–1978 FCO, Desk Officer, Near East and North Africa Department
- 1985–1989 Washington, First secretary (Near East and South Asia)
- 1989–1990 FCO, Assistant Head of European Community Department (External)
- 1990–1993 FCO, Assistant Private Secretary to Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd
- 1994–1998 Budapest, Deputy Head of Mission
- 1998–2002 FCO, Head of Near East and North Africa Department
- 2002–2006 Amman, Her Majesty's Ambassador
- 2006–2007 UK Special Representative, later FCO Co-ordinator for the Sudan Peace Process
- 2007–2009 Iraq, Her Majesty's Ambassador
- 2011–2016 Italy, Her Majesty's Ambassador
References edit
- ^ PRENTICE, Christopher Norman Russell, Who's Who 2017, A & C Black, 2017 (online edition, Oxford University Press, 2016)
- ^ [1] British Institute of Florence website. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- ^ "Christopher Prentice" Cricinfo database. Retrieved 25 May 2008
- ^ "No. 59090". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 2009. p. 3.
- ^ "Iraq inquiry - day by day timeline of evidence given". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
- ^ "British military officers to be sent to Libya". BBC News. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
- . Retrieved 25 May 2008.
- "UK appoints fourth Iraq ambassador in four years" 7 July 2007. IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency. Retrieved 25 May 2008.