Author of A Stranger in Europe on Britain’s relationship with her EU partners (published April 2008); Principal Adviser to the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, 2004-2005; Head of the European Secretariat in the Cabinet Office in London and EU adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair, 2000-2004; UK Permanent Representative to the EU, 1995-2000; British Ambassador to Portugal, 1993-1995; Private Secretary to Prime Minister John Major, 1991-1993; Private Secretary to three successive Foreign Secretaries, 1988-1991.