Diplomat. Born in Edinburgh where he was educated at Trinity Academy. He read history at the University of Dundee, graduating in 1975 and immediately entering the diplomatic service. He held a series of appointments at home and abroad, including Consul General in Riyadh (1995-98), Head of Middle East Policy at the Foreign Office (1998 - 2002), then British Ambassador to Sudan (2002-05), Iraq (2005-06), Saudi Arabia (2007-10) and Afghanistan (2010-12).
Patey was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG) in the 2009. He retired from the diplomatic service and has since made a career as an advisor to business.
