Christian Turner

Christian Philip Hollier Turner CMG (born 19 August 1972) is a British diplomat serving as Political Director of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office since 2023. He previously served as British High Commissioner to Pakistan from 2019 to 2023.[1][2][3]

Christian Turner
CMG
Political Director of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Assumed office
January 2023
Prime MinisterRishi Sunak
Preceded byTim Barrow
British High Commissioner to Pakistan
In office
1 December 2019 – January 2023
Monarchs
Prime Minister
Preceded byThomas Drew
British High Commissioner to Kenya
In office
2012–2015
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterDavid Cameron
Preceded byRobert Macaire
Succeeded byNic Hailey
Personal details
Born (1972-08-19) 19 August 1972
NationalityBritish
Alma materUniversity of York

Career

After completing his PhD at the University of York and making historical television documentaries, Turner joined the Cabinet Office in 1997. He held positions in Private Office, the Economic and Domestic Secretariat and the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit.

Turner joined the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in 2005 whilst First Secretary at the British Embassy Washington, DC. On his return to London he served as Private Secretary to Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2007; as Director Middle East and North Africa, 2009–2012 during the Arab Spring.[4][5]

Turner served as High Commissioner to Kenya from 2012 to 2015.[6][7] During his time in Kenya he led the UK response to the Westgate Mall terrorist attack[8] and the UK's reconciliation with the MauMau.[9][10]

On his return to the UK in 2016 Turner led the London Syria Conference for No 10, raising $12 billion for Syrian refugees.[11] In 2016 he became Director General for the Middle East and Africa and then acting Political Director General. From 2017 to 2019 he served as Prime Minister Theresa May's international affairs advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor.[12] In this role he was also senior responsible owner for the £1.25bn Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.[13]

Turner was announced as High Commissioner to Pakistan in August 2019; he took office in December.[14]

Honours

Turner was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2012 New Year Honours.[15] Turner was made a Freeman of the City of London in 2019.

Personal life

Turner is married with two children.

References
  1. "Search Results for Christian Turner". WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  2. "Dr Christian Turner CMG". GOV.UK. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  3. "Change of British High Commissioner to Pakistan: Dr Christian Turner CMG". GOV.UK. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  4. "Dr Christian Turner CMG". GOV.UK. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  5. "British foreign policy and the 'Arab Spring': the transition to democracy (8th December 2011)". publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  6. "Change of British High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya". GOV.UK. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  7. ""Life as high commissioner to Kenya has been exciting, rewarding and never dull – it is exactly why I joined public service": diplomat Christian Tu..." Civil Service World. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  8. Nation Breaking News [@NationBreaking] (22 September 2013). "British High Commissioner to Kenya Dr Christian Turner donates blood at #Kencom #WeAreOne #Westgate" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. "Mau Mau torture victims to receive compensation – Hague". BBC News. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  10. "Kenya Mau Mau memorial funded by UK unveiled". BBC News. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  11. "About". GOV.UK. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  12. Turner, Christian [@CTurnerFCDO] (13 April 2017). "A busy first week as Deputy National Security Adviser; farewell to @LyallGrant looking forward to working with @marksedwill" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. CSSF Annual Report 2018/2019 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/818585/CSSF-Annual-Report-2018-to-2019.pdf
  14. "Change of British High Commissioner to Pakistan: Dr Christian Turner CMG". GOV.UK. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  15. 2012 New Years Honours List The London Gazette https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/60009/supplement/1
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