Christopher Terence Wood

Christopher Terence Wood (19 January 1959), is a British diplomat and former Representative, British Office Taipei from 2013 to 2016. Other major assignments including Minister, British Embassy Beijing (2008-2012), Director of Americas, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2007-2008) and the British Consul General to Guangzhou (2003-2006).

A native of West Midlands, England, Wood was educated in the county, and graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1981, since which year he entered the FCO. Besides diplomatic service, Wood was also worked at other units including the Cabinet Office, the Department of Environment and the Government of British Hong Kong, having experiences on Sino-British Negotiations and domestic affairs such as administration, economic, environmental protection and national welfare. After his Chinese language training at the FCO, Wood was assigned to the British missions in Beijing and Guangzhou, expanding the consular district in China during his tenure as Consul General. Wood then served in Taiwan as the British head of mission there, dealing with the Taiwan–United Kingdom relations, and renamed the British Trade and Cultural Office (BTCO), predecessor of British Office Taipei, into its current name.

Early years

Chris Wood was born in Wolverhampton, West Midlands on 19 January 1959. He was educated at Cotwall End Primary School and High Arcal Grammar School in the same county. When he was 16, Wood participated the career planning, and made his choice to enter the diplomatic service with the combination of his own interest and study experience on foreign language training. In 1981, Wood graduated with the degree of B.A. (Hons) in Modern and Medieval Languages from the Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he learnt French and German.

Career diplomat

Wood joined the FCO right after his graduation in 1981, getting his position as Desk Officer and Third Secretary at the Western European Department, Between 1982 and 1984, he took language training on Chinese at both London and Hong Kong, and seconded to Hong Kong Government as Assistant Political Adviser, taking part in the Sino-British Negotiations regarding the Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong. After returning to the FCO headquarters in 1987, he was assigned to the Hong Kong Department to head its Future Section, then he worked in the Security Co-ordination Department, FCO, from 1989 to 1991.

From 1992 to 1998, Wood worked in the Department of environment, major assignment including the head of European Community Branch, head of International Air Pollution Branch, and Private Secretary to the Ministers of State (1995-1998). During his time in the Economic & Domestic Secretariat, Cabinet Office (1998-2001), serving as secretary to several Cabinet Committees regarding Public expenditure, economic affairs, environmental issues, local government and welfare reform. From 2001 to 2002, he became Head of International & Policy Team, Deputy Prime Minister’s Central Policy Group, Cabinet Office.

Wood is currently Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in China .