Chris Wood (diplomat)

Chris Wood
Representative, British Office Taipei
In office 2013–2016
Minister, British Embassy Beijing
In office 2008–2012
British Consul General to Guangzhou
In office 2003–2006
Personal details
Born	January 19, 1959 Wolverhampton, United Kingdom[1]
Alma mater	Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge[1]

Christopher Terence Wood (19 January 1959),^[1] is a British diplomat and former Representative, British Office Taipei from 2013 to 2016. Other major assignments including Minister, British Embassy Beijing (2008-2012), Director of Americas, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2007-2008) and the British Consul General to Guangzhou (2003-2006).

A native of West Midlands, England, Wood was educated in the county, and graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1981, since which year he entered the FCO. Besides diplomatic service, Wood was also worked at other units including the Cabinet Office, the Department of Environment and the Government of British Hong Kong, having experiences on Sino-British Negotiations and domestic affairs such as administration, economic, environmental protection and national welfare. After his Chinese language training at the FCO, Wood was assigned to the British missions in Beijing and Guangzhou, expanding the consular district in China during his tenure as Consul General. Wood then served in Taiwan as the British head of mission there, dealing with the Taiwan–United Kingdom relations, and renamed the British Trade and Cultural Office (BTCO), predecessor of British Office Taipei, into its current name.

Biography

Early years

Chris Wood was born in Wolverhampton, West Midlands on 19 January 1959. He was educated at Cotwall End Primary School and High Arcal Grammar School in the same county.^[1] When he was 16, Wood participated the career planning, and made his choice to enter the diplomatic service with the combination of his own interest and study experience on foreign language training.^[2][3] In 1981, Wood graduated with the degree of B.A. (Hons) in Modern and Medieval Languages from the Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge,^[1] where he learnt French and German.^[1]

Career diplomat

Wood joined the FCO right after his graduation in 1981,^[3] getting his position as Desk Officer^[1] and Third Secretary at the Western European Department,^[4] Between 1982 and 1984, he took language training on Chinese at both London and Hong Kong,^[1][3] and seconded to Hong Kong Government as Assistant Political Adviser,^[1] taking part in the Sino-British Negotiations regarding the Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong.^[3] After returning to the FCO headquarters in 1987, he was assigned to the Hong Kong Department^[1] to head its Future Section, then he worked in the Security Co-ordination Department, FCO, from 1989 to 1991.^[4]

From 1992 to 1998, Wood worked in the Department of environment, major assignment including the head of European Community Branch, head of International Air Pollution Branch,^[4] and Private Secretary to the Ministers of State (1995-1998).^[1] During his time in the Economic & Domestic Secretariat, Cabinet Office (1998-2001), serving as secretary to several Cabinet Committees regarding Public expenditure, economic affairs, environmental issues, local government and welfare reform. fROM 2001 to 2002, he became Head of International & Policy Team, Deputy Prime Minister’s Central Policy Group, Cabinet Office.^[4]

References

1. Who's Who 2014. A & C Black Publishers. 2014. p. 2517. ISBN 9781408181195.
2. 成因 (2003-10-16). 英国驻广州总领事馆总领事力推“创意英国” (in Chinese). 南方网. Archived from the original on 2004-12-31. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
3. 周慧如 (2016-01-31). 英國駐台代表胡克定 邀請大家愛莎翁 (in Chinese). 中國時報. Archived from the original on 2016-10-14. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
4. "Chris Wood". Gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2016-10-14.