Michael Tatham appointed UK's new High Commissioner in Cyprus

Michael Tatham CMG has been named as the new British High Commissioner to Cyprus from November 2024, according to the British High Commission in Nicosia.

According to an official announcement, " Mr Michael Tatham CMG has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus in succession to Mr Irfan Siddiq OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Mr Tatham will take up his appointment during November 2024. "

The news was also shared in a post on 'X':

Commenting on his appointment, Tatham said, “It is a huge honour to be appointed British High Commissioner to Cyprus. The UK and Cyprus have exceptionally close ties, underpinned by deep people to people connections and many shared interests. I feel fortunate to be taking on this role at a time of strengthening relations between the UK and Cyprus.”

According to the same announcement, Tatham was most recently FCDO, Delivery Director European Political Community Summit.

From 2018 to 2022 he was based inWashington DC as Deputy Head of Mission (Chargé d’Affaires, 2019-20). From 2015 to 2017, he was working for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO,) Director Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

From 2011 to 2015, meanwhile, Tathan was part of the UK Mission to the United Nations, New York, as Political Counsellor after spending 2008 to 2011 in Sarajevo as Her Majesty’s Ambassador.

From 2006 to 2008, for the FCO, he was the Head of the Western Balkans Department having, from 2002 to 2005, been in Prague as Deputy Head of Mission.

Earlier, from 1999 to 2002, Tatham was station at 10 Downing Street as Private Secretary (Foreign Affairs) to the Prime Minister.

From 1997 to 1999, he had been working in Sofia as Deputy Head of Mission. This had followed spending 1995 to 1996 as, within the FCO, Private Secretary to Minister for Europe and, also in 1995, again within the FCO, Head of East Mediterranean Section, Southern European Department.

From 1993 to 1995, Tatham was, as part of the FCO, European Union Department (Internal).

The years 1989 to 1993 were spent in Prague as Third and then later Second Secretary (Political/Press).

From 1987 to 1988, he was, as part of the FCO, Namibia Desk Officer, Southern African Department, having joined the FCO in 1987.