Sir Peter Westmacott Joins Harvard's Belfer Center as Senior Fellow

Westmacott was British Ambassador to the United States

Cambridge, MA – Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs announced today that Sir Peter Westmacott, former British Ambassador to the United States, has joined the Center as a Senior Fellow. Westmacott, who served as ambassador from 2012 until mid-January 2016, will also serve as an Institute of Politics Resident Fellow at the Kennedy School.

Prior to his position as Ambassador to the United States, Westmacott was Ambassador to France from 2007-2012, and Ambassador to Turkey from 2002-2006. His 40-year career in the British Diplomatic Service also included four years in Iran (before the Revolution) and an interim deployment to the European Commission in Brussels. Previously, he was the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Director for the Americas from 1997-2000 before taking a seat on the board as Deputy Under Secretary. From 1990-1993, he was Deputy Private Secretary to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

Belfer Center Director Graham Allison said Ambassador Westmacott will bring to the Center and the Kennedy School extensive experience and insight in addressing international challenges and will provide valuable guidance for students and research fellows, in addition to producing his own research. As a joint Belfer Center/Institute of Politics fellow, Westmacott follows in the footsteps of Ambassador Wendy Sherman, former Under Secretary of State and chief negotiator for the Iran nuclear agreement, who was in residence at the Kennedy School first semester and continues as a senior fellow.

“Peter Westmacott’s stellar service in the diplomatic corps, and his deep knowledge of European and American affairs and interactions, will inform all of us at the Belfer Center and the broader Harvard community,” Allison said. “Also, Sir Peter’s inside knowledge of Iran before the Revolution will be invaluable to our new focus on Applied History, including applying knowledge about pre-Revolution Iran to today’s complex Iranian-related issues. We are fortunate he has agreed to join us and look forward to learning from him and his unique perspective.”

“Amb. Peter Westmacott is the consummate diplomat,” added Wendy Sherman. “He has served all over the world including Turkey, Iran, and the United States. He will bring vast knowledge, an understanding of the power of diplomacy, and a completely engaging personality to the Kennedy School. Sir Peter will also help us understand the United Kingdom’s uncertain trajectory and the future of the European Union.”

"Throughout my career, whether serving here in the U.S., in London, in the Middle East, or in Europe, I have been convinced that addressing the world's most intractable problems requires the highest levels of transatlantic trust, understanding, and co-operation," Ambassador Westmacott said. "The Belfer Center makes a major contribution to this important work and I am very excited to have the chance to be part of it."