Change of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Nepal
Mr Andrew James Sparkes CMG has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
Andrew James Sparkes
He will succeed Mr John Tucknott MBE, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Sparkes will take up his appointment during April/May 2013.
Mr Sparkes has recently finished a secondment to the European Union as Deputy Head of the largest EU civilian mission in the world, the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo. Prior to that he was Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Kosovo, having previously served as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo.
On his appointment as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nepal, Mr Sparkes has said
It is a great privilege to be appointed British Ambassador to a country with which we have had such a special relationship for so long. I look forward to playing my part in taking that relationship forward, as Nepal redefines itself as a nation, especially through our development partnership. My goal will be to enhance the peace and prosperity of a people for whom the British have a special affection.
Curriculum vitae
| Full name | Andrew James Sparkes CMG |
| Children | Two |
| Oct 2010 – Dec 2012 | Secondment to the European Union as Deputy Head of the EULEX Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo |
| April 2008 - Oct 2010 | Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Republic of Kosovo |
| July 2004 – July 2007 | Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Dec 2001 – Feb 2004 | Pretoria, Deputy High Commissioner and Consul General Johannesburg/Pretoria |
| April 1999 – Dec 2001 | Jakarta, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General |
| July 1997 – Nov 1998 | DTI, Secondment as Head of new Services and Sectors Directorate (in what later became UK Trade and Investment) |
| July 1995 – July 1997 | FCO, Grade Manager then Assistant Director Personnel Management |
| 1992 – 1995 | Bangkok, First Secretary Political |
| 1991 – 1992 | FCO, Head of Section, Mozambique and Angola |
| 1990 – 1991 | FCO, Desk Officer, Israel and Lebanon |
| 1988 – 1990 | FCO, Head of Section, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei |
| 1985 – 1988 | Ankara, Second Secretary Political |
| 1983 – 1985 | FCO, Various Desk Officer Roles |