Born in Karlsruhe on 1 July 1967. From 1988 to 1992, he studied political sciences and international relations at L’Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris. He has been a member of the German Diplomatic Service since 1992, with postings in Israel, Rwanda, and Afghanistan. From March 2014 to July 2016, he served as ambassador to the Philippines, Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. From August 2016 to June 2017, he was the director for relations with EU Member States and regional and cross-border cooperation. Since July 2017, he has been a special representative for the negotiations on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework.