Biography of the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, M. Maurice Gourdault-Montagne

Maurice Gourdault-Montagne
Ambassador of France to the United Kingdom

Born 16 November 1953 in Paris

Studies

MA Institute for political studies in Paris (1975)
BA Faculty of german studies (University of Paris Sorbonne IV) (1976)
MA (Law) (University Paris-Assas) (1977)
MA Institute for oriental studies and languages (hindi) (1978)

Rank : Minister Plenipotentiary (1996)

Career

1978
Joins the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1979-81
Desk officer for Asian affairs
1981-83
First secretary at the French Embassy in New Delhi
1984-86
Private secretary to the Secretary General (Permanent Undersecretary) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1986-88
Technical advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (in charge of the relations with Press and Parliament)
1988-90
Counsellor (political affairs) at the French Embassy in Bonn
1991-92
Deputy spokesman of the Foreign Ministry
1992-93
Acting Spokesman
1993-95
Deputy principal secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr A. Juppé)
1995-97
Head of the Prime Minister’s office, principal secretary (Mr A. Juppé)
1997-98
Personal representative of the President of the French Republic
1998-02
Ambassador to Japan
2002-07
Senior Diplomatic Advisor to President Chirac and G8 Sherpa

1 December 2007
Ambassador to the United Kingdom

Awards

Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur 2001
Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite 1998
LVO (Hon) 1992
CMG (Hon) 2004