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John Coles (diplomat)

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Sir Arthur John Coles GCMG (born 13 November 1937) is a retired British diplomat. He served as the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Head of HM Diplomatic Service) from 1994 to 1997.[1][2]

Coles joined the FCO in 1960. After learning Arabic he was posted as Third Secretary in Sudan from 1962 until 1964.[3] He served as the Assistant Political Agent, Trucial States (Dubai) from 1968 to 1971 as the UAE was being established. He returned to London until being sent as Head of Chancery to the British Embassy in Egypt from 1975 to 1977.[3] He served as Ambassador to Jordan, High Commissioner to Australia before he returned to London as Deputy Under-Secretary of State from 1991 to 1994. In 1994 he was appointed Permanent Under-Secretary of State.

Offices held

[edit]
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by British Ambassador to Jordan
1984-1988
Succeeded by
Preceded by British High Commissioner to Australia
1988-1991
Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by
Unknown
Deputy Under-Secretary of State, Asia and the Americas, of the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office

1991-1994
Succeeded by
Unknown
Preceded by Permanent Secretary of the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office

1994-1997
Succeeded by

References

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  1. ^ The Ditchley Foundation. "The Governors". Archived from the original on 26 September 2006. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
  2. ^ Andrew Marshall (8 February 1997). "Irresistible rise of man with plan". The Independent. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
  3. ^ a b BDOHP Biographical details and index Retrieved 9 March 2023
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