Mark Andrew Geoffrey Kent CMG (born Spilsby 14 January 1966)[1] is a British businessman and former diplomat[2] who served as UK ambassador to Argentina from 2016 to 2021.[3][4][5]
Kent was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle before he read law at Lincoln College, Oxford,[1] graduating in 1986.[6] He joined Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service in 1987. He served in Brasilia,[6] Brussels, Mexico City and Casteau before being appointed Ambassador to Vietnam in 2007.[7] From 2012 to 2016 he was Ambassador to Thailand.[8][9][10]
Kent was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to British foreign policy.[11]
In 2021, Kent was appointed the ninth Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association.[12][13] He has been Executive Chair of the Vietnam-UK Network since April 2023.[14]