Michael Jay served as Permanent Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service from 2002 until July 2006. He was the Prime Minister's personal representative (Sherpa) for the G8 Summit at Gleneagles (in 2005) and St Petersburg (in 2006). Over the course of his career, he held a number of positions in the civil service and diplomatic services, including Deputy Under-Secretary of State in the FCO from 1994 to 1996, and Ambassador to France from 1996 to 2001. He is currently Chairman of the House of Lords Appointment Commission.