WASHINGTON, DC – Sir Peter Westmacott, former British ambassador to the United States and one of the United Kingdom’s most accomplished diplomats and its most recent ambassador in Washington, today joins the Atlantic Council as Distinguished Ambassadorial Fellow in its Future Europe Initiative. Based in London, he will provide critical insight on issues central to the transatlantic relationship, including the UK-US special relationship; Brexit; and the future of Europe, Turkey, and Iran.
“Sir Peter joins us as Europe confronts a defining moment of historic significance,” said Atlantic Council President and CEO Fred Kempe. “A truly world-class diplomat, his impressive intellectual depth and hands-on experience will further deepen our Europe work.”
Sir Peter Westmacott’s distinguished diplomatic career has been marked by key postings around the world, including as British ambassador to the United States (2012-16), France (2007-12), and Turkey (2002-06).
Westmacott’s forty-year career in the British Diplomatic Service has also included four years in Iran (before the Revolution of 1979) and a secondment to the European Commission in Brussels. He was the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s director for the Americas from 1997 to 2000 before becoming deputy undersecretary. In the mid-1990s he served as the British Embassy’s counsellor for political and public affairs in Washington, DC. From 1990 to 1993, he was deputy private secretary to HRH The Prince of Wales.
“I am delighted to join the Atlantic Council, an organization whose mission is closely aligned with my own views on the importance of strengthening and deepening the transatlantic alliance,” said Sir Peter. “I look forward to engaging with the Atlantic Council’s community on a range of issues and relationships about which I remain passionate.”
The Atlantic Council’s Future Europe Initiative galvanizes the leadership and strategies that will promote a strong, stable, and competitive Europe allied with the United States. For more information on the Future Europe Initiative or to schedule an interview with Sir Peter Westmacott, please email press@atlanticcouncil.org. He will be speaking at the Atlantic Council’s “Stronger With Allies: The Future of Europe After Brexit” conference held tomorrow, which can be viewed here.