[1] Barnett attended the University of Birmingham, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1979.

[1] Barnett was appointed the British Ambassador to Romania in 2006, and served in this role until 2010.

[4][5] Barnett married his first wife, Debra Marianne Bunt, in 1989.

[1] Barnett married his second wife, Tesca Marie Osman, in 1999.

[6] Barnett had a framed Manchester United jersey, signed by Roy Keane, on his office wall during his time as ambassador to Ireland.