News story

Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia

Mr Christopher Bruce Holtby OBE has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia.

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

He will succeed Mr Peter Leslie Carter who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.

Mr Holtby will take up his appointment during January 2012.

Mr Holtby joined the Foreign Office after starting his career with the Ministry of Defence, and has also spent time working in the European Union and at NATO.

On his appointment as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia, Mr Holtby has said:

“The UK and Estonia are already close Allies and partners with common objectives in a wide range of areas. The UK is grateful in particular for Estonia’s steadfast commitment of armed forces alongside the UK as part of NATO’s engagement in Afghanistan. I look forward very much to building on Peter Carter’s achievements and deepening even further our political and practical partnership across the spectrum of our shared interests during my time in Tallinn.”

Curriculum vitae

Full name:

Christopher Bruce Holtby

Polly Jane Holtby

One son, two daughters

2007-present

FCO, Deputy Head, Security Policy Department (European Security, NATO, Military and Civil-Military Operations, Maritime Security), and also Chairman of the Operational Co-ordination and Regional Capability Development Working Group of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia

2002-2007

Brussels, Policy Adviser on Asia and the Pacific to EU High Representative Javier Solana and his UK liaison officer, EU Council Secretariat

2000-2002

FCO, Head of Kosovo Section

1999-2000

MOD, Head of Kosovo Review Team

1998-1999

MOD, Head of Policy and Operations Section, Balkans Department

1994-1998

Brussels, Second Secretary, UK Delegation to NATO and the Western European Union

1993-1994

MOD, Desk Officer, Navy Resources and Programmes Department

1992-1993

MOD, Desk Officer, NATO and European Policy Department

1992

Entered the Civil Service fast stream

Published 11 July 2011