Introduction
Dr. Peter Richard Hayes (born 11 April 1963) is a British diplomat and the current Commissioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory and the British Antarctic Territory.
Early life
He was educated at the University of Surrey (BSc, Physics) and King's College London (PhD, 1989).
Career
Originally trained as a physicist, in 1990 Hayes joined the British Civil Service in the National Physical Laboratory, later working in the Department of Trade and Industry, the Cabinet Office, the Office of Science and Technology, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He worked for the British Embassy to the United States as a Counsellor for 2001–2005.
In 2005 Hayes was appointed Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary, serving under Jack Straw, Margaret Beckett and David Miliband until 2007. From 2008 until 2010 Hayes was the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and concurrently the non-resident High Commissioner to the Maldives. He then went on secondment to the London Stock Exchange as their Head of Public Affairs. In 2012 he became Commissioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory and the British Antarctic Territory.
Personal life
In 2002, Hayes married Kirsty Hayes, a fellow diplomat. Together they have two children: one son and one daughter.
Offices held
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Geoffrey Adams | Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary 2005–2006 | Succeeded by Matthew Gould |
| Preceded by Dominick Chilcott | British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka 2008–2010 | Succeeded by John Rankin |
| British High Commissioner to the Maldives (non-resident) 2008–2010 | ||
| Preceded by Colin Roberts | Commissioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory and the British Antarctic Territory 2012–present | Incumbent |