Our Role
Our mission is to maintain and develop close and co-operative relations between Britain and the Sultanate of Oman, in accordance with British Government policies. We provide a range of services in Oman to the public and to business. We have 14 UK based staff and over 50 staff employed locally.
The British Embassy in Muscat aims to:
- Work with the Omani policies which support regional stability, eg for peaceful reconstruction in Iraq, progress in the MEPP, and enhanced GCC security policies;
- Establish an effective contribution to maintaining a strong defence relationship between the two counties;
- Progress on economic reform in Oman and improving the environment for UK business;
- Ensure that Britain is promoted as a centre of excellence for industry, education, science and technology;
- Progress on social and political reform in Oman, and respect for human rights and democratic values. Evolutionary internal change towards political participation, transparency and accountability;
- Establish an effective contribution to promotion of UK civil and defence exports to Oman, and (inward) to maintaining our position as prime partners in investment, education and tourism;
- Establish a provision of good consular services to the British community (and unrepresented Commonwealth where agreed), and of a prompt and efficient entry clearance service;
- Establish a strong networks and effective outreach and dialogue;
- Good strategic advice to FCO and Whitehall, by timely and quality reporting, accurate assessments of political, military and economic developments;
- Establish an effective public diplomacy;
- Have a well managed and well motivated Embassy
The Embassy also offers a range of services:
- The Visa Section provides the necessary visas for both Omani nationals and Omani residents of other nationalities who wish to visit or settle in the UK, as well as certain other countries of the Commonwealth.
- The Consular Section offers passport and notarial services to British nationals, as well as registering marriages, births and deaths. It is also responsible for providing assistance where appropriate, to British and some Commonwealth nationals who are in difficulty. We encourage all British citizens to register with the Embassy.
HM Consul: Sarah Spencer
British Vice Consul: Alison Hardy
Consular Assistant: Smita Arattukulam
Consular Clerk: Michelle Robinson
An out of hours Duty Officer is available for EMERGENCIES only on (00968) 24609000.
This section provides information on all aspects of life in the UK to the Omani media, institutions such as schools, and the public. It also arranges public events and the Chevening Scholarship Award Scheme.
The Press and Public Affairs Section are also responsible for presenting British policies, and a positive image of the UK in general, to the Omani public. Promotion of British exports and investment in the UK is an important part of this, in co-operation with the Commercial Section. A daily summary of the Omani print media is produced for the Embassy, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), British Consular Wardens and businessmen.
Head of Press & Public Affairs (PPA): Jon Goddard
Press & Public Affairs Officer (Print/Broadcast Media): Majdi Fawzi
PPA System and Website Administrator: Mohammad Al Yawer
Assistant PPAO (Translator): Mourad Baachaoui
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Head of Section: Ian Cranshaw
Commercial Officer: Sam Oliver
Commercial Assistant: Faris Al Balushi
Commercial Assistant: Irene Bedwin
Political Section ('Chancery')
This section acts as an interface between the British and Omani Governments (mirroring the role played by the Omani Embassy in London). The section is tasked with providing information to London on political developments in Oman to assist in the formulation of informed foreign policy. It also liaises (usually through the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs) with the Government of Oman to brief them on UK policies, to negotiate areas of bilateral co-operation, and to co-ordinate with them on positions in international fora: For example, the political section will call on the MFA to discuss important votes coming up in the UN and try to agree a common position.
The Political Section has a small budget at its disposal for local projects. These can include special events, small training programmes for Omani institutions, and sponsoring of official Omani visits to the UK. Recent programmes have included a visit by a UK E-Government expert, participation of an Omani official in a training seminar in the UK, and an 'outreach' type event to introduce young Omanis to information on the UK.
First Secretary (Political): David Holtom
Second Secretary (Political): Jon Goddard
Second Secretary (Bilateral Co-operation): Mark Palmer
Registry/System Administrator: Arnie Sookdeo
E-mail us: Enquiries.muscat@fco.gov.uk
The Defence Section
The Defence Attaché is the personal representative of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who is the United Kingdom’s senior serving officer. The Defence Section staffs tasks are wide and varied, but the main ones are:
- To provide timely and accurate military advice to the British Ambassador on all matters concerning the British Armed Forces.
- To further develop the already excellent military relationship between British and the Sultan’s Armed Forces.
- To assist the continuing development of the Omani Armed Forces by the provision of International Defence Training.
- The co-ordination of high-level visits between the two countries.
- The provision of in country support for British military forces during joint exercises and training.
The Defence Section in the British Embassy Muscat consists of:
UK
Based Staff
Defence and Military Attaché - Brigadier Jim Askew - Army
Naval and Air Attaché - Commander David Newton - Royal Navy
Assistant Defence Attaché - Staff Sergeant Neil Swan - Army
Assistant Naval/Air Attaché - Sergeant Ken Piller - Royal Air Force
Defence Section Secretary - Locally Employed - Mrs Hilda Grant
Additionally assigned to the Embassy is a civilian officer from the UK Ministry of Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO). He works directly to the Ambassador in close co-operation with the Defence Section. His title is:
First Secretary Defence Equipment Co-operation. The current incumbent is:
Mr Graham Inett
Assistant FSDEC - Mrs Rachael Renihan
The Role of the DESO Representative is:
To encourage, facilitate and manage UK/Oman co-operation in the field of defence/security equipment/services, purchasing and contracts for UK defence exports to Oman. DESO also co-ordinate and provides HMG support to UK based industry competing for defence exports to Oman. In addition to this, DESO provide HMG support to the Omani Defence Equipment customers.
E-mail to us: Enquiries.muscat@fco.gov.uk
The Embassy also has a Management Section which deals with finance, procurement, security and other support services for the Embassy and its staff.
