AN IRVINE-born diplomat has been named as one of the world’s Most Connected Men.

Alan Gemmell has been listed in GQ magazine’s annual list of the world’s 100 Most Connected Men for 2016.

The former Irvine Royal Academy pupil joins Hollywood, sporting and political royalty with the likes of Brad Pitt, David Beckham, Calvin Harris, Ryan Giggs, James Cordon, Andy Murray, Boris Johnson and David Cameron also on the list.

Alan, who has just moved to India with husband Damien Stirk, says he is thrilled to have made the prestigious list.

He said: “GQ contacted me when I was on a handover in India to say they were going to include me and asked for some photos. I’m not sure what I expected but it wasn’t Brad Pitt, Ryan Giggs, James Corden, the PM and me!”

Earlier this year Alan was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list for prestigious award “for services to cultural relations in the area of Arts and Science.”

Alan, 38, who was brought up in Auchenharvie Place in Girdle Toll, has been making a name for himself as the British Council’s Director of India, after being recently promoted to the region.

Before this he was Director of the British Council in Israel for three years where he was instrumental in many major diplomatic projects, including raising millions of pounds for vital research.

He has also been pivotal in the creation of fiveFilms4freedom - the world’s first global online LGBT Film Festival, giving everyone, everywhere access to cinema, regardless of their sexual orientation.

The former Annick Primary pupil moved to London in 2001 before his career took him to Mexico, Brazil, Israel and now India.