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Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Part of FCDO Outreach

11th November 2010

Economic Recovery

The global economic crisis, beginning in the global financial sector in 2008 and subsequently spreading across other economic sectors, has forced dramatic structural economic changes in the United Kingdom. Many countries remain depressed by the slow recovery of global demand, and the caution of companies and consumers.

It does appear, though, that the United Kingdom is recovering fast, due in large part to the decisive actions of successive British governments to tackle the crisis, and the flexibility and attractiveness to global investors of the British economy. A few positive statistics:

– unemployment is falling. The rate in the United Kingdom is currently 7.7% of the work force, still too high, but amongst the lowest in the G7 and well below the US and Eurozone averages.

– economic growth is picking up sharply, with 2% growth expected in 2011 (not spectacular against emerging economy standards, but extremely respectable against developed economy averages) and strong medium term prospects.

– the UK trade and current account deficits are narrowing, and services and manufacturing sectors both showing positive economic activity heading in to the final quarter of 2010.

Perhaps more importantlyn for longer term prospects: the recent World Bank / International Finance Corporation “Doing Business” index ranked the United Kingdom the best in Europe and 4th best country in the world – top of all the major global economies – for establishing and doing business.

We have heard a lot of depressing news over the last three years about the global economy. But these statistics suggest that we can start to be cautiously optimistic. And as the “Doing Business” survey shows, there can be no better moment to invest and do business in the United Kingdom.

About Nigel Baker

Nigel was British Ambassador to the Holy See from 2011-2016. He presented his Credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on 9 September 2011, after serving 8 years in Latin America, as…

Nigel was British Ambassador to the Holy See from 2011-2016. He presented his Credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on 9 September 2011, after serving 8 years in Latin America, as Deputy Head of Mission in the British Embassy in Havana, Cuba (2003-6) and then as British Ambassador in La Paz, Bolivia (2007-11). In July 2016, Nigel finished his posting, and is currently back in London.

As the first British Ambassador to the Holy See ever to have a blog, Nigel provided a regular window on what the Embassy and the Ambassador does. The blogs covered a wide range of issues, from Royal and Ministerial visits to Diplomacy and Faith, freedom of religion, human trafficking and climate change.

More on Nigel’s career

Nigel was based in London between 1998 and 2003. He spent two years on European Union issues (for the UK 1998 EU Presidency and on European Security and Defence questions), before crossing St James’s Park to work for three years as The Assistant Private Secretary to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. At St James’s Palace, Nigel worked on international issues, including the management of The Prince of Wales’s overseas visits and tours, on the Commonwealth, interfaith issues, the arts and international development.

Nigel spent much of the early part of his FCO career in Central Europe, after an initial stint as Desk Officer for the Maghreb countries in the Near East and North Africa department (1990-91). Between 1992 and 1996, Nigel served in the British embassies in Prague and Bratislava, the latter being created in 1993 after the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia into the separate Czech and Slovak Republics.

Nigel joined the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) in September 1989. Between 1996 and 1998 he took a two year academic sabbatical to research and write about themes in 18th century European history, being based in Verona but also researching in Cambridge, Paris and Naples. The research followed from Nigel’s time as a student at Cambridge (1985-88) where he read history and was awarded a First Class Honours degree, followed by his MA in 1992.

Before joining the Foreign Office, Nigel worked briefly for the Conservative Research Department in London at the time of the 1989 European election campaign.

Nigel married Alexandra (Sasha) in 1997. They have one son, Benjamin, born in Bolivia in September 2008.

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