James Watt

Biography

Mr Watt joined the FCO in 1977 and began his diplomatic career in the Trade Relations and Exports Department. From 1978 to 1980 he undertook full-time language training in Arabic ahead of his first posting to Abu Dhabi as Second, later First, Secretary Political.

After leaving Abu Dhabi in 1983, and working in the FCO’s Mexico and Central America Department, he joined the United Kingdom Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York in 1985, covering Middle Eastern and Peacekeeping affairs in the Security Council and General Assembly.

In 1989 he returned to London as Deputy Head of the United Nations Department and Head of Human Rights Unit. In 1992 he became Deputy Head of Mission in Amman, with the rank of Counsellor.

There followed a posting to Pakistan in 1996 as Deputy High Commissioner, with additional responsibilities for Afghanistan (there being no resident British staff at the Embassy in Kabul at the time).

In 1998-99 Mr Watt undertook research during a sabbatical year at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, and in 2000 was appointed Head of Consular Division (later renamed Director of Consular Affairs) at the FCO.

In 2003 he was appointed Ambassador to Lebanon, and in 2006 Ambassador to Jordan to 2011 where he will be accompanied to Cairo by his wife, Amal. The couple have five grown-up children between them from their previous marriages, and homes in London and Beirut.

In 2011 Mr Watt was appointed Ambassador to Egypt till Present.