Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark
Ms Vivien Frances Life has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark.
She will succeed Mr Nick Archer who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Life will take up her appointment during September 2012.
Ms Life joined the FCO from the Treasury in 1988 and has served overseas in Washington and in a wide variety of posts in London, including several roles working on European Union issues and most recently heading the Climate Change and Energy Department
On her appointment as Ambassador to Copenhagen, Ms Life said:
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve in Denmark, and to get to know the country properly at first hand. I first worked with Danish officials under the Danish EU Presidency in 1987, before I had even joined the Foreign Office and have cooperated closely and harmoniously with Danish colleagues on many occasions since then in almost every role I have held. As a result I have become very aware of the importance of our cooperation, particularly on the European Union. But Denmark is one of our closest allies across a much broader range of issues, and the chance to be at the heart of that productive and mutually beneficial relationship is one to which I much look forward.”
Curriculum vitae
Full name:
Vivien Frances Life
Married to:
Timothy Michael Dowse CMG
Children:
Two daughters: Rachel and Rebecca Dowse
Jan 2010-Present
FCO, Head of Climate Change and Energy Department
March 2008-Jan 2010
FCO, Head of Enlargement South-East and Wider Europe Group
2006-2008
FCO, Head of External Relations Group, Europe Directorate
2003-2006
FCO, Head of Strategy Group
1999-2003
FCO, Head of Consultancy Group, FCO Services
1997-1999
FCO, Deputy Head Latin America and Carribbean Department
1996-1997
FCO, Deputy Head EU Department External
1992-1996
Washington
1988-1991
FCO, EU External Department
1981-1988
HM Treasury
1979-1981
Civil Service Department, Fast Stream Entrant