Chris Wood CMG

Biography

Chris Wood was HM Consul-General in Shanghai from July 2019 to 2023.

  • September 2016 to March 2019: European External Action Service (EEAS), Deputy Head, EU Delegation to China

  • March 2013 to August 2016: FCO, Director, British Trade & Cultural Office (later The British Office), Taipei

  • December 2008 to August 2012: FCO, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy, Beijing

  • February 2007 to September 2008: FCO, Director Americas

  • July 2003 to September 2006: FCO, HM Consul-General, Guangzhou

  • January to July 2003: FCO, full-time refresher language training in Chinese

September 2001 to December 2002: Head of International & Policy Team, Deputy Prime Minister’s Central Policy Group, Cabinet Office (then Divisional Manager, International & Central Policy Division, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister following Machinery of Government changes).

July 1998 to September 2001: Seconded to Economic & Domestic Secretariat, Cabinet Office (promoted to Senior Civil Service as Deputy Director of Economic Affairs in March 2000). Secretary to a range of Cabinet Committees, including those dealing with public expenditure, economic affairs, environmental issues, local government and welfare reform.

1992 to 1998: Department of the Environment (from May 1997 Department of the Environment, Transport & the Regions). Positions included: Head of European Community Branch, Environmental Protection Europe Division; Head of International Air Pollution Branch, Air Quality Division; and Private Secretary to three Ministers of State, including through the 1997 General Election transition.

1981 to 1991: Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Positions held during that time: Third Secretary, Western European Department (Assistant Desk Officer for Council of Europe and Western European Union); full-time language training in Chinese; seconded to Hong Kong Government as Assistant Political Adviser; Head of Future Section, Hong Kong Department; Security Co-ordination Department.

Previous roles in government

  • Consul-General in Shanghai
    • 2019 to 2023
  • Representative, British Office Taipei
    • 2013 to 2016