News story

Change of British High Commissioner to India

Mr James Bevan CMG has been appointed British High Commissioner to India. He will succeed Sir Richard Stagg KCMG.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Mr Bevan will take up his appointment in November 2011.

Mr Bevan studied Social Anthropology at Sussex University and joined the Foreign Office in 1982. He has served in a number of bilateral and multilateral missions overseas and has worked on a wide range of political, security, economic, development and other issues. In his previous job as the FCO’s Chief Operating Officer he led the FCO’s modernisation programme and supervised its global operations, migration and consular work. He is married to Janet Purdie, an English teacher. They have three daughters.

On his appointment as British High Commissioner to India, Mr Bevan said:

“I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed Her Majesty’s High Commissioner to India. The UK and India have a strong and deep relationship, many shared interests, and close ties between our peoples. Our two countries are committed to building an enhanced and forward-looking partnership for the 21st Century. I look forward to playing my part in that.”

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name:

James David Bevan

2007-2011

FCO, Chief Operating Officer and Director General for Corporate Affairs

2006-2007

Harvard University, Visiting Fellow, Centre for International Affairs

2003-2006

FCO, Director for Africa

2002-2003

FCO, Director for the Balkans

2000-2001

FCO, Head of European Union Department

1998-2000

FCO, Head of Africa Department (Equatorial)

1994-1998

Washington, First Secretary

1992-1993

Paris, First Secretary

1991-1992

FCO, European Union Department (External)

1986-1990 Brussels (UK Delegation to NATO), First Secretary

1984-1986

Kinshasa, Second Secretary

1983-1984

FCO, Near East and North Africa Department

1982-1983

FCO, Western European Department

1982

Joined FCO

Updates to this page

Published 9 May 2011