Sheinwald joined the British Diplomatic Service in 1976. He worked in London on the Japan Desk (1976-1977), in Moscow (1978-1979), back in London on Zimbabwe Desk (1979-1981), including the Lancaster House Conference, and as head of the Foreign Office’s Anglo-Soviet Section in 1981-1983.

 

His first posting to Washington was from 1983-1987 as first secretary (political) in the British Embassy. He was deputy head of the British Foreign Office’s Policy Planning Staff from 1987-1989, responsible for transatlantic relations and other issues. 

 

He began his career in European Union work as deputy head of the FCO’s European Union Department from 1989-1992, followed by a posting in the UK Representation in 1993-1995 as head of its Political and Institutional Section. From 1995-1998, he was the FCO press secretary and head of news department. 

 

Sheinwald was Europe Director in the FCO (1998-2000), UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the European Union in Brussels from 2000-2003, and Foreign Policy and Defense Adviser to the prime minister from 2003-2007.