Simon Collis

Simon Paul Collis, CMG (born 23 February 1956) is a former British diplomat who served as ambassador to several Middle Eastern countries before retiring from diplomatic service in February 2020. [1][2]

His Excellency

Simon Collis

CMG
Collis at Chatham House in 2013
British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
In office
2015–2020
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterDavid Cameron
Theresa May
Boris Johnson
Preceded bySir John Jenkins
Succeeded byNeil Crompton
British Ambassador to Iraq
In office
2012–2014
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterDavid Cameron
Preceded byMichael Aron
Succeeded byFrank Baker
British Ambassador to Syria
In office
2007–2012
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterTony Blair
Gordon Brown
David Cameron
Preceded byJohn Jenkins
Succeeded byEmbassy closed
British Ambassador to Qatar
In office
2005–2007
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterTony Blair
Preceded byDavid MacLennan
Succeeded byRoddy Drummond
Personal details
Born (1956-02-23) 23 February 1956
Spouse(s)Huda Mujarkech
Children5
EducationKing Edward VII School, Sheffield
Alma materChrist's College, Cambridge

Biography

Collis was educated at King Edward VII School, Sheffield, from 1967 until 1973 and at Christ's College, Cambridge.

He joined Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service in 1978 and served his first posting as Second Secretary in Bahrain from 1981–1984. From 1984– 1986 he served as Middle East Spokesman in the News Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In 1986 he temporarily served at the UK mission in New York. From 1987–1988 he was Head of India Section in the South Asia Department. From 1988-1990 he was Deputy Head of Mission in Tunis. From 1990-1991 he was in the Gulf War Emergency Unit. From 1991–1994 he served as First Secretary in New Delhi, India. From 1994–1996 he was Deputy Head of the Near East & North Africa Department. From 1996–1999 he was Deputy Head of Mission in Amman, Jordan. From 1999-2000 he was seconded to BP. From 2000–2004 he was Consul-General in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[3]

He was Consul General in Basra between 2004 and 2005. He was British Ambassador to Qatar 2005–07, and British Ambassador to Syria 2007–2012. He left Syria in February 2012, after the British Government withdrew their staff there.[4] He was British Ambassador to Iraq from 2012 until September 2014.[4][5] He presented his credentials as British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia on 3 February 2015.[6]

Collis was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to British interests in Iraq and Syria.[7]

In 2016, Collis became the first UK ambassador to perform the Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj after converting to Islam.[8]

In 2020, Collis retired as ambassador to Saudi Arabia and from diplomatic service.[9][10]

Notes
  1. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/change-of-her-majestys-ambassador-to-saudi-arabia-neil-crompton
  2. https://www.gov.uk/government/people/simon-collis
  3. https://www.gov.uk/government/people/simon-collis
  4. Iraq Business News retrieved 3 July 2012
  5. Change of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Iraq, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1 Sep 2014
  6. Vice Foreign Minister Receives a Number of Ambassadors, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 3 February 2015
  7. "No. 60895". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 June 2014. p. b4.
  8. Simon Collis becomes first UK ambassador to perform Haj, Gulf News, September 13, 2016
  9. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/change-of-her-majestys-ambassador-to-saudi-arabia-neil-crompton
  10. https://www.arabnews.com/node/1632756/saudi-arabia
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References
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
David MacLennan		 British Ambassador to Qatar
2005–2007		 Succeeded by
Roddy Drummond
Preceded by
John Jenkins		 British Ambassador to Syria
2007–2012		 Embassy closed
Preceded by
Michael Aron		 British Ambassador to Iraq
2012–2014		 Succeeded by
Frank Baker
Preceded by
Sir John Jenkins		 British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
2015–2020		 Succeeded by
Neil Crompton
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