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Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Part of UK in Holy See

14th March 2011

Commonwealth Day

On 14 March, 54 countries across the world with a combined population of 2 billion people  celebrate Commonwealth Day. But what is the Commonwealth?

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent states that grew out of the former countries of the British Empire. The most recent member to join was Rwanda in 2007, committing itself to the values of the Commonwealth, restated in Trinidad and Tobago in 2009 as: strengthening political democracy, greater respect for human rights, good governance and the rule of law, supporting economic growth and sustainable development.

The Queen is the Head of the Commonwealth. In her message this year, she marked the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day by calling for the creation of “greater opportunity for women as children and adults to pursue their hopes and dreams, to attain their goals, and to make best use of their talents and knowledge”. Her Majesty also recognised the role of women as “agents of  change”, and increasingly as “leaders of our societies”.

The strength of the Commonwealth comes from its voluntary nature, and its bedrock of values and consensus. From Canada to South Africa, Jamaica to New Zealand, it brings people together to work for peace, development, education and diversity. As we celebrate Commonwealth Day this year, we also celebrate the achievements of the women of the Commonwealth, and the improving prospects of the 26 million girls born into the Commonwealth every year.

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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