John Coles (diplomat)

Sir Arthur John Coles (born 13 November 1937) is a retired British diplomat. He served as the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Head of HM Diplomatic Service) from 1994 to 1997.

Coles joined the FCO in 1960. After learning Arabic he was posted as Third Secretary in Sudan from 1962 until 1964. He served as the Assistant Political Agent, Trucial States (Dubai) from 1968 to 1971 as the UAE was being established. He returned to London until being sent as Head of Chancery to the British Embassy in Egypt from 1975 to 1977. He served as Ambassador to Jordan, High Commissioner to Australia before he returned to London as Deputy Under-Secretary of State from 1991 to 1994. In 1994 he was appointed Permanent Under-Secretary of State.