David Quarrey
Sir David Quarrey KCMG is a British diplomat who served as the United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to NATO (2022–2025) and as Acting National Security Adviser.
| Sir David Quarrey KCMG | |
| Born | 1966 Template:Flag |
|---|---|
| Died | |
| Nationality | |
| Residence | |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
| Known for | First openly gay British Ambassador to Israel |
| Parents | |
| Spouse(s) | Aldo Oliver Henriquez |
| Children | |
| Sibling(s) | |
| Website | |
Sir David Quarrey KCMG (born 1966) is a British diplomat. He served as the United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to NATO from 2022 to 2025.[1] He previously held the roles of Prime Minister’s Adviser on International Affairs and Deputy National Security Adviser from 2019 to 2022, including a period as Acting National Security Adviser in 2020–2021.[2]
A career FCDO official since 1994, Quarrey specialised in international security, the Middle East and national security coordination.[1] He has held diplomatic postings in Zimbabwe, India and at the United Nations in New York, and directed the FCDO’s Middle East and North Africa Department.[1]
Early life and education
Quarrey was born in 1966.[1] He studied history at the University of Cambridge and worked in the private sector for seven years before joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1994.[1] His mother was raised in north London and attended a school with a significant Jewish pupil population; his maternal grandparents are buried in Stoke Newington (N16).[3]
Diplomatic career
Quarrey joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (now Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) in 1994.[1]
- 1995–1998: Second Secretary (Political), British High Commission, Harare, Zimbabwe.[1]
- 2000–2003: First Secretary (Political), British High Commission, New Delhi, India.[1]
- 2004–2006: Private Secretary to Prime Minister Tony Blair in 10 Downing Street.[1]
- 2008–2011: Political Counsellor, UK Mission to the United Nations, New York.[1]
- 2011–2012: Director for Foreign Policy, National Security Secretariat, Cabinet Office.[2]
- 2012–2015: Director, Middle East and North Africa Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.[1]
- 2015–2019: British Ambassador to Israel – his first ambassadorial posting and the first openly gay British ambassador to Israel.[1][4]
National security roles
- July 2019–April 2022: Prime Minister’s Adviser on International Affairs and Deputy National Security Adviser under Boris Johnson. He chaired cross-government committees on UK relations with the United States and China and held Senior Responsible Owner oversight of the Integrated Security Fund (formerly the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund).[2][1]
- 17 September 2020 – March 2021: Acting National Security Adviser while the substantive post-holder focused on Brexit negotiations. He coordinated the National Security Council secretariat and intelligence-policy interface.[1]
Quarrey’s role in the intelligence community was reportedly strictly policy and coordination-focused within the National Security Secretariat. He had no operational involvement with MI5, MI6, GCHQ or Defence Intelligence.[1]
Later career
In December 2024 Quarrey joined HSBC as Managing Director and Group Head of Public Affairs.[5]
Personal life
Quarrey is openly gay. His husband is Aldo Oliver Henriquez, a former United Nations official who later worked with the British Council in Israel.[1][3] In 2021 Quarrey tested positive for the Indian variant of COVID-19 after a government trip to India.[1]
Honours
- Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
- Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)
External links
- David Quarrey KCMG on GOV.UK
Notes
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 UK Government, David Quarrey KCMG GOV.UK, accessed April 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 UK Government, Prime Minister appoints Mr David Quarrey CMG as the UK’s new Permanent Representative to NATO GOV.UK, 4 April 2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jenni Frazer, The quiet ambassador — David Quarrey Jewish News, 14 April 2016.
- ↑ Jerusalem Post staff, Meet the Ambassador: Britain's David Quarrey The Jerusalem Post, 5 October 2016.
- ↑ Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, BUSINESS APPOINTMENT APPLICATION: David Quarrey CMG, Ambassador to NATO. Paid appointment with HSBC Group GOV.UK, August 2024.