British ambassador to speak Feb. 11 at UTSA roundtable discussion

Sir Nigel Sheinwald, UK ambassador to the United States

By Omar Hernandez
Public Affairs Specialist

(Feb. 8, 2010)--The UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts and the UTSA Honors College will host the British ambassador to the United States, Sir Nigel Sheinwald, and his wife, Lady Julia Dunne, in a roundtable discussion on "Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Energy." Open to UTSA students, faculty and staff the event is 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11 in the Main Building Auditorium (0.104) on the Main Campus.

It is the ambassador's first visit to San Antonio and second visit to Texas. "UTSA is an important stop on this trip to the Alamo City," said Sheinwald. "As part of an ongoing program of educational outreach, we take every opportunity to connect with major universities throughout the United States."

Sheinwald joined the British Diplomatic Service in 1976 and has served twice in Washington, twice in Brussels, once in Moscow and in a range of policy jobs in London.

He began as British ambassador to the United States in October 2007. In this role, he leads the embassy in Washington and nine consulates general around the United States. Before becoming ambassador in Washington, he served as foreign policy and defense adviser to the prime minister from 2003 to 2007.

Sheinwald was the UK ambassador and permanent representative to the European Union in Brussels from 2000 to 2003. He was Europe director in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) from 1998 to 2000. He began his career in EU work as deputy head of the FCO's European Union Department from 1989 to 1992.

Sheinwald had a wide variety of other appointments in the FCO in London. From 1995 to 1998, he was the FCO press secretary and head of the news department. He was deputy head of the Foreign Office's policy planning staff from 1987 to 1989, responsible for transatlantic relations and other issues. He also worked in London on the Japan Desk (1976-1977) and on Zimbabwe issues (1979-1981) including the Lancaster House Conference.