Nicholas Hopton  -  ‘Adventures in diplomacy - life as a British diplomat’

In November 2021 Nicholas Hopton addressed members and guests of Purple Horizons at Kimbolton School. He has enjoyed a very successful career representing the UK around the world .  He was Her Majesty’s Ambassador for Libya. Previously he was FCO Director for EU External and Security, leading the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the future security partnership with the EU after BREXIT. 

Nicholas Hopton has also served as Ambassador to Iran, Qatar and Yemen and served at the British Embassies in Paris, Rome and Rabat. He has worked on national security issues in the Cabinet Office, led the International Organisations Department in the FCO and was Private Secretary to the Minister for Europe. 

In his talk titled ‘Adventures in diplomacy - life as a British diplomat’ he spoke about how the UK continues to be a major player in global affairs and how its diplomats are as involved as ever in the conduct of International relations. He asked the question - but what does a diplomat actually do in the modern world? And how do diplomats seek to make a difference and advance national interests in the climate-challenged, post- Brexit, pandemic-scarred and conflict-riven world in which we live? 

Drawing on experience from over three decades as a British diplomat, Nicholas Hopton looked at these and other questions and offered a personal, anecdotal take on the ups and downs of a career in foreign policy. 

The talk was held in association with the Politics Department of Kimbolton School. Toby Leadbetter, Kimbolton School Head of Politics said after our talk : "We enjoyed welcoming Mr Hopton to Kimbolton School.  The talk was one of a series of talks hosted by our Politics Society throughout the year and we were delighted to partner with Purple Horizons to raise funds for the Papworth Trust."