Press release
Change of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Ireland: September 2020
Mr Paul Johnston has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to Ireland in succession to Mr Robin Barnett CMG who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service.
Mr Paul Johnston has been appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Ireland in succession to Mr Robin Barnett CMG who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Mr Johnston will take up his appointment during September 2020.
Curriculum vitae
Full name: Paul Charles Johnston
| 2017 to 2020 | Brussels, UK Ambassador to the EU for Political and Security Affairs, UK Permanent Representation to the EU |
| 2015 to 2017 | Brussels, Deputy Permanent Representative, UK Permanent Representation to NATO |
| 2011 to 2015 | Stockholm, Her Majesty’s Ambassador and Director Nordic-Baltic Network |
| 2008 to 2010 | FCO, Director, International Security |
| 2005 to 2008 | New York, Political Counsellor, UK Mission to the United Nations |
| 2002 to 2004 | FCO, Head, Security Policy Department |
| 1999 to 2002 | FCO, Various roles including Head of Kosovo Policy Team; Head of European Defence Section; and Deputy Head of Department for EU External Policy |
| 1995 to 1999 | Paris, Private Secretary to Her Majesty’s Ambassador and subsequently Second Secretary covering, inter alia, the former Soviet Union and former Yugoslavia |
| 1993 to 1995 | FCO, Desk Officer for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eastern Adriatic Department |
| 1990 to 1993 | Ministry of Defence, roles including on International Procurement Policy, Resources and Programmes (Navy) and as Private Secretary to the 2nd Permanent Under Secretary |
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