Nick Pickard CMG CVO
Biography
Nick Pickard was appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Austria in May 2026.
He served as Europe Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) from July 2023 to April 2026. Previous postings include Deputy Permanent Representative at the UK Joint Delegation to NATO (2017 to 2023) and Deputy Head of Mission and Consul-General at the British Embassy Berlin (2013 to 2017), where he was responsible in 2015 for the State Visit of Her Late Majesty The Queen to Germany.
Having studied music at university, Nick joined the Civil Service in 1995 in the Ministry of Defence, where he held a range of roles covering defence policy and international security. He transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2008 as Head of Security Policy Department, responsible for issues including Euro-Atlantic security, nuclear deterrence and arms control.
British Ambassador (Designate) to Austria
The ambassador represents His Majesty The King and the UK government in the country to which they are appointed. They are responsible for the direction and work of the embassy and its consulates, including political work, trade and investment, press and cultural relations and consular services.
Previous roles in government
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UK Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO
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Deputy Head of Mission, Germany