News story

New UK Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan

Mark Sedwill CMG, who has been serving as NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, will be taking up the new appointment in early May.

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

On his return from Afghanistan, Mr Sedwill has been appointed to a new post in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as Director General (Afghanistan and Pakistan) and UK Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The current Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Karen Pierce, and Director for South Asia and Afghanistan, will be moving on to another Diplomatic Service appointment.

Prior to serving as NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, the civilian counterpart to the commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Mr Sedwill was based in Kabul as British Ambassador to Afghanistan.

Since joining the FCO in 1989 he has served in a variety of positions including as Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary between 2000 and 2002, and Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan between 2003 and 2005.

He was also International Director at the UK Border Agency from 2006-2008.

Published 15 April 2011