Chris Sainty

Biography

Chris Sainty took up his appointment as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Portugal in September 2018. Previously, he was the Deputy Head of Mission for Italy from August 2011 to August 2015.

A career diplomat, he brings experience from a number of Foreign Office Departments as well as overseas postings in India, Pakistan, Spain and the Netherlands.

Chris has spent much of his career working on European Union issues: he headed the Foreign & Commonwealth Office team responsible for the organisation of the UK’s presidency of the EU in 2005.

Chris studied mathematics and philosophy at Oxford University.

Curriculum Vitae

2015 – 2017 FCO, European Correspondent and Head of Europe (South) Department, Europe Directorate
2011 – 2015 Rome, Deputy Head of Mission
2008 – 2010 Islamabad, Political Counsellor
2006 – 2008 The Hague, Deputy Head of Mission
2004 – 2006 FCO, Head of EU Presidency Department
2000 – 2004 Madrid, First Secretary (Political)
1998 – 2000 FCO, Head of Newsroom, Press Office
1996 – 1998 FCO, Common Foreign and Security Policy Unit
1992 – 1996 New Delhi, Second Secretary (Political)
1990 – 1992 FCO, Hong Kong Department

Chris Sainty on Twitter

Previous roles in government

  • British Ambassador to Portugal
    • 2018 to 2024
  • Deputy Head of Mission, Italy
    • 2011 to 2015