Christian Turner

Career

After completing his PhD at the University of York and making historical television documentaries, Turner joined the Cabinet Office in 1997. He held positions in Private Office, the Economic and Domestic Secretariat and the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit.

Turner joined the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in 2005 whilst First Secretary at the British Embassy Washington, DC. On his return to London he served as Private Secretary to Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2007; as Director Middle East and North Africa, 2009–2012 during the Arab Spring.

Turner served as High Commissioner to Kenya from 2012 to 2015. During his time in Kenya he led the UK response to the Westgate Mall terrorist attack and the UK's reconciliation with the MauMau.

On his return to the UK in 2016 Turner led the London Syria Conference for No 10, raising $12 billion for Syrian refugees. In 2016 he became Director General for the Middle East and Africa and then acting Political Director General. From 2017 to 2019 he served as Prime Minister Theresa May's international affairs advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor. In this role he was also senior responsible owner for the £1.25bn Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.

Turner was announced as High Commissioner to Pakistan in August 2019; he took office in December.