About Chris
I have been the UK's Ambassador to Tunisia since November 2008.
Work
I joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1993. Since then I have been posted in Cairo, Riyadh, Brussels, Ottawa, Beirut and now Tunis. I have also worked at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office headquarters in London.
In London I have worked on Southern European issues, United Nations issues and as Head of the Middle East Peace Process Team from 2004-2005.In the Middle East/North Africa region I have been posted in Cairo (1995-96) as Attache, with the purpose of learning Arabic, Riyadh as Second Secretary (1996-1999) and Beirut as Deputy Head of Mission (2006-2008).
Outside of the region I have worked at the UK delegation to NATO, where I focussed on Kosovo issues and as Head of Political Section in Ottawa (2000-2003). I also had the opportunity to work on secondment to the Canadian Department for Foreign Affairs (1999-2000).
Interests and Family
I am married to Martha Nelems who is Canadian. We have two daughters. I spend most of my leisure time enjoying their company, but I also play tennis and snooker when the opportunity arises and enjoy a range of other sports. I also enjoy trying to learn foreign languages, currently Tunisian Arabic.