From Scotland to the Sultanate: Ambassador Cowell shares his journey to Oman

 For the UK’s Ambassador to Oman, Hamish Cowell, his latest posting is yet another success in a career that has taken him around the world.

From the world-famous 10 Downing Street, to Tehran, Tunis and Colombo, Cowell’s wealth of international experience and knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa make him the ideal man to boost Oman’s strong relationship with the UK even further.

Speaking to the Times of Oman on the sixth month anniversary of his posting, Cowell said, “I have greatly enjoyed my time in Oman.”

“It’s been a very busy six months, but I’ve had a bit of time to travel around as well. I’ve been down to Duqm, Khazzan, Jebel Akhdar and other places. And I’ve been hugely impressed by the beauty of the country and also the friendliness of the people.”

For a graduate of Oxford University, whose distinguished career has seen him travel the globe, those words come as no small praise for the Sultanate.

“It’s a very special relationship so there are lots of strands to it. So, I’ve been getting to know people both on the Omani side and in the British community. Business people, senior officials, ministers... learning about the country. Because it’s very important in your first few months to learn about the country and there is a lot to learn and a lot to appreciate,” he said.

After growing up in Scotland, Cowell studied at Oxford and joined the Foreign Office right after graduating. “Most of my career has been either in the Middle East and North Africa region or Europe. I’ve served in Egypt, Iran, Tunisia, and now here in Oman,” added Cowell.

In using the term “served”, Cowell displays a natural humbleness that has continued to endear him to visitors from every background, Omanis and expats alike.

In more specific terms, he worked as Deputy Head of Mission in Tehran from 1992 to 1994, Head of the Political and Economic Section in Cairo from 1996 to 1999, and as the British Ambassador to Tunisia from 2013 to 2016. Previously, he also worked closely on North Africa and Middle East issues when posted with the UK Representation to the EU in Brussels from 2001 to 2004, and the British Embassy in Paris from 2004 to 2009.

One would be forgiven for asking, why the Middle East?

“I’ve always been fascinated by this region, with its history and culture. It’s also a very important and strategic region for the world,” he said. “I guess that is what sparked my interest in the beginning.”

This interest also drove him to learn Arabic and Farsi, both of which he speaks fluently.

“At university, I studied what would now be called Middle Eastern Studies and History and I also studied Arabic and Persian.”

Other postings include Sri Lanka, an attachment to the UK Mission to the UN in New York, as the Foreign Secretary’s Speechwriter in the Prime Minister’s Press Office, and as Private Secretary to Minister of State Jeremy Browne. But it is clear that his connection to the region runs deep.

“I’ve never regretted it because in every posting I’ve found it very interesting and inspiring. It’s a fascinating region and Oman is a wonderful part of it and we are really enjoying our time here,” said Cowell.