Mr Leigh Turner, Her Majesty's Ambassador to Ukraine

On 18 June 2008 Leigh Turner, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Ukraine, presented credentials to President Yushchenko.

He told the President that the British Government was committed to an ever-closer relationship as Ukraine moved towards eventual membership in the EU and NATO.

Leigh Turner said: “To be appointed British Ambassador to Ukraine is an exciting and fascinating assignment.  Ukraine is a major European country.  What happens here is of immense significance for the United Kingdom, for Europe and for the world.  I look forward to doing everything in my power to help strengthen the ties between us during my Ambassadorship to Ukraine.”

Leigh Turner began his career in the UK civil service in 1979.  He worked at the Department of Transport, the Property Services Agency, the Department of Environment and Her Majesty’s Treasury before joining the Diplomatic Service in 1983.

Leigh Turner’s first overseas posting was at the British Embassy in Vienna in 1984 – 1987. From 1987 to 1991 he worked in London, where he dealt with policy issues including European Union budget and finance. Following Russian language training, he served as First Secretary Economic at the British Embassy in Moscow in 1992 – 1995.  

In 1995 - 1998 Leigh Turner was Deputy, then Head of Hong Kong Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In 1998 – 2002 he served as a Counsellor, EU/Economic in Bonn and later in Berlin.  He then took special unpaid leave in Berlin 2002 – 2006 while his wife, who is a senior British diplomat, worked in the Embassy in Berlin.  During this time he ran the family house, looked after his two children, and wrote novels and film treatments.  He was also a journalist for the Financial Times, the Boston Globe and other newspapers.

From 2006 – 2008, before his appointment as Ambassador to Ukraine, Leigh Turner was Director, Overseas Territories at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. His responsibilities included the Falkland Islands, Bermuda, St Helena and nine other Territories.

Leigh Turner was born in 1958. He is married to Pamela Major. They have one son and one daughter.