Alexander Downer sat as a member of the Australian parliament for 23 years until July 2008, and was Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1996 until 2007. He is currently the United Nations Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, an adviser to the investment bank Capello Capital, a founder of the consultancy firm Bespoke Approach, and a director of Huawei Australia. Before he became a politician Mr Downer held a number of senior positions, including at Westpac Bank and with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs where he served at the Australian mission to the EU and the Australian Representation to NATO.