Mr Ian Richards has been appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the State of Eritrea in succession to Mr David Ward, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Richards will take up his appointment during July 2016.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name Ian Richards

2015 Conakry, Chargé d’Affaires; Migration Adviser, UKMIS Geneva
2014 Caracas (Deputy Head of Mission); Conakry (Chargé d’Affaires); Bamako (Chargé d’Affaires)
2013 Ashgabat, Chargé d’Affaires
2011 – 2013 UK Trade & Investment, Head of Overseas Resources
2005 – 2011 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Special Adviser to Deputy Director-General
2004 – 2005 Commission for Africa, Theme Manager
2002 – 2004 FCO, Head Economic Crime Team, Economic Policy Department
2002 FCO, Head Political & Military Team, Afghanistan Unit
2000 – 2001 Beijing, First Secretary
1996 – 1999 Shanghai, Consul Commercial/Economic
1994 – 1996 Full Time Language Training (Mandarin)
1993 – 1994 FCO, Desk Officer UN Disarmament
1993 Joined FCO