Looking Back on a Career as a Diplomat

Come along and chat with former diplomat and St Cross fellow Richard Makepeace, and hear about a career in diplomacy. In this interactive drop-in session, Richard will be happy to answer questions and chat with students about his experience.

Richard Makepeace has been the Registrar of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies since 2011. He retains a strong interest in the politics and modern history of the Middle East and North Africa and in issues relating to conflict resolution and peace-keeping in the region.

Richard studied Modern Languages at Keble College, Oxford before joining HM Diplomatic Service in 1976 and studying Arabic at the Middle East Centre for Arabic Studies in Lebanon. He subsequently worked as a British diplomat for 35 years in the Middle East, Western and Central Europe and in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In the Arab region he was posted to the British Embassies in Oman and in Egypt and was later appointed British Ambassador to the Sudan and then to the United Arab Emirates. His last posting was as Consul General in Jerusalem, with responsibility for Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, and issues related to the Middle East Peace Process.