This blog post was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

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Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

Part of Chevening Conversations UK in Turkey

14th November 2012

Do you want to be part of Turkey’s future?

Did you know that 41,000 brilliant students from around the world have studied in the UK since 1983 under a terrific scholarship programme run by the UK Government? And it’s available in Turkey.

The Chevening programme in Turkey is designed to create lasting positive relationships with future leaders and decision makers. It’s aimed at young professionals who have already displayed outstanding leadership talents, to study in the UK typically for a one-year post-graduate Masters degree.

After completing their courses, students return to their home countries where many assume positions of leadership and influence while maintaining links in the UK.

I’ve met Chevening scholars in many countries round the world and they are some of the most outstanding high achievers in society. They include politicians, academics, economists and journalists.

If this sounds like you, you can apply on-line now for 2013/14 Chevening Scholarships. Applications are open until 2 January 2013. If you want to be part of Turkey and Britain’s future, don’t delay.

About Leigh Turner

I hope you find this blog interesting and, where appropriate, entertaining. My role in Vienna covers the relationship between Austria and the UK as well as the diverse work of…

I hope you find this blog interesting and, where appropriate, entertaining. My role in Vienna covers the relationship between Austria and the UK as well as the diverse work of the UN and other organisations; stories here will reflect that.

About me: I arrived in Vienna in August 2016 for my second posting in this wonderful city, having first served here in the mid-1980s. My previous job was as HM Consul-General and Director-General for Trade and Investment for Turkey, Central Asia and South Caucasus based in Istanbul.

Further back: I grew up in Nigeria, Exeter, Lesotho, Swaziland and Manchester before attending Cambridge University 1976-79. I worked in several government departments before joining the Foreign Office in 1983.

Keen to go to Africa and South America, I’ve had postings in Vienna (twice), Moscow, Bonn, Berlin, Kyiv and Istanbul, plus jobs in London ranging from the EU Budget to the British Overseas Territories.

2002-6 I was lucky enough to spend four years in Berlin running the house, looking after the children (born 1992 and 1994) and doing some writing and journalism.

To return to Vienna as ambassador is a privilege and a pleasure. I hope this blog reflects that.