Born on 24 June 1948 in Emden; married, three children

1966 : Higher education entrance qualification

1973 : Obtained degree in geophysics (University of Kiel)

1974 : Entered the higher Foreign Service

1976 - 1980 : German Embassy in Moscow, Desk Officer, Cultural Section

1980 - 1983 : German Embassy in Buenos Aires, Press Officer

1983 - 1986 : Federal Foreign Office, Desk Officer, Central America Division

1986 - 1989 : Federal Foreign Office, Head of the Information Processing Division

1989 - 1992 : Ambassador to Nicaragua

1992 - 1995 : German Embassy in Moscow, Head of the Economic Service

1995 - 1999 : Federal Foreign Office, Head of the Division responsible for Southern Latin America

1999 - 2003 : Federal Foreign Office, Director for Latin American Affairs

2003 - 2005 : Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Spain

2005 - 2008 : State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office Since 3 July, 2008 Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Court of St. James’s