Simon Smith was appointed the United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the United Nations Organisations in Vienna in August 2007. In October 2007 he was also accredited as Her Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Austria.

Career History

Simon Smith joined the Foreign Office in 1986. After one year in the East African Department, he undertook Japanese language training before being posted to Tokyo as Second, later First Secretary (1989 - 1992). He has held several positions in London, including Deputy Head of the Southern European Department (1995 - 1997), Head of the North East Asia & Pacific Department (2002 - 2004), Head of the Eastern Department (2004 - 2005) and Director for Russia, South Caucasus and Central Asia (2005 - 2007). Furthermore, he was posted in Moscow as Counsellor (Economic/Commercial) from 1998 to 2002.

Personal

Simon Smith was born on 14 January 1958 in Wegberg, Germany. He is married to Sian Stickings and has two daughters. He obtained a degree in modern languages at Wadham College, Oxford University. His hobbies include sport (especially cricket) as well as cooking and reading, especially Russian and German literature. He plays the piano and brass instruments.