In January 2008 Patrick Turner was appointed Minister for Defence Materiel at the British Embassy, Washington DC. 

He is responsible for all bilateral defence procurement relations and related policy issues, as well as Civilian Secretary responsibilities within the United States.

Previously he was Head of UK National Security Strategy Team, Cabinet Office, August 2007.

Between 2005-2007 he was Director Deterrent Options Policy, Ministry of Defence, (published White Paper on Future of UK’s Nuclear Deterrent in December 2006).

Previously, after leaving university, held a wide range of posts in Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Office, NATO and Home Office.
Private Secretary to Minister for the Armed Forces 1987-88.
Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service 1988-89.
Responsible for section dealing with bilateral defence relations with North American and European countries 1989-92.
Private Secretary to NATO Secretary General (Worner, Claes, Solana) 1992-96.

Director, Strategic Defence Review Implementation Team 1998-99.
Director Policy Planning, UK Ministry of Defence (responsible for defence policy and defence strategic planning) 1999-2002.
Published post-9/11 New Chapter to the UK’s Strategic Defence Review in July 2002.
Attended Royal College of Defence Studies 2003. Senior Research Fellow, King’s College London 2004.

Born 1963. Education: Dragon School, Oxford (1970-76); Radley College, Oxon (1976-80); Merton College, Oxford (1981-84) - BA in Modern History.

3 children: Samuel (8), Isaac (7), Flora (5). Wife (Rachel) died of cancer in 2004.

Interests: Faith; International Affairs; History; Walking; Golf.