MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

New Foreign Office Permanent Under Secretary

Following a civil service-wide competition for the post of Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Peter Ricketts has been appointed in succession to Sir Michael Jay, who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service in July.

The Permanent Under Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service is the senior foreign policy adviser to the Foreign Secretary, and responsible for the management of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London and our Embassies and High Commissions in 144 countries around the world.

'I very much welcome Peter's appointment. He will bring formidable energy and leadership to one of the most important jobs in the public sector. Over the last years the Foreign Office has made real strides in modernising and restructuring to meet the opportunities of a rapidly changing world, and to meet the needs of British people working and travelling abroad. I look forward to working closely with Peter as we continue this important work', commented Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on the appointment.

Sir Peter Ricketts who said he was committed to the modernization of the Foreign Office, will take up his appointment at the end of July.

'It's a huge privilege to be asked to serve in this job. The Foreign Office is full of talented people working hard to advance British interests in a world which is changing ever more rapidly. So there are exciting new opportunities as well as new challenges to deal with. I am committed to pressing ahead with the modernisation of the Foreign Office so that it becomes even more effective in delivering for Britain in the 21st century", said Sir Peter.