James Moran is a diplomat and economist, specialising in Middle-Eastern and Asian affairs.

He subsequently worked in the private sector and the UK government before joining the European Union's staff in 1983.

[1] Returning to Brussels in 2002, he headed the European Commission's China division before being appointed Asia Director in 2006.

[1] He then became the Union's senior coordinator in Libya in 2011, where he established the EU delegation in Tripoli following the revolution, and helped launch the first European assistance programmes there.

He and his wife Randa have four children,[1] including British Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament Layla Moran.