New British Ambassador takes up post in Madrid

STEPHEN Wright has this month taken over as the new British Ambassador to Madrid, replacing Sir Peter Torry who has taken up a new post in Berlin.
As Ambassador, Wright is responsible to the British Government for all aspects of the United Kingdom's relations with Spain. He is also accredited as Ambassador to the Principality of Andorra. Stephen Wright comes to Spain after five years at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. Until October 2002, he was Director-General for Defence and Intelligence Affairs, responsible for the foreign policy aspects of all issues affecting security and defence of the United Kingdom and its allies, including international terrorism, drug-trafficking and crime as well as NATO and European Defence. Before that, between July 1999 and October 2000, he was Director for Wider Europe, responsible for Britain's relations with all non-EU countries of Europe including the Russian Federation. Stephen Wright served previously as Minister and Deputy Head of Mission in Washington (1997-99), as Director for EU Affairs in London (1994-97) and as Counsellor at the UK Permanent representation to the EU in Brussels (1991-94) and at the British High Commission in New Delhi (1988-91). He also served earlier in his career in New York, Brussels and London. His first overseas post (1969-71) was Havana. Stephen Wright was born in Quito in 1946 and for short periods during his childhood lived in Chile and Honduras.
He was educated in Britain at Shrewsbury School and Oxford University where he gained an honours degree in Modern History.
Stephen Wright is married to Abbey. They have four children and their interests include music, opera, art and travel.
Stephen also enjoys rowing and horse-riding.