James Downer
Biography
James Downer has been His Majesty’s Ambassador to Algeria since January 2025. He has previously served as Deputy Head of Mission in Baghdad from 2020 to 2022 and Deputy Consul-General in Jerusalem between 2015 to 2018. His last role was in London where he worked on the FCDO’s Israel/Gaza and Red Sea crisis responses. Other London roles include Acting Head of North Africa Joint Unit and Deputy Head, Intelligence Policy Department.
James joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1992. He has completed overseas postings in Washington and Yemen as well as full-time Arabic language training.
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British Ambassador to Algeria
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 visa and consular services.