Andrew Carter was born 4 December 1943, son of Eric and Margaret Carter. He was educated at Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith, and the Royal College of Music, before studying at Jesus College, University of Cambridge. In 1973 he married (1st), Anne Caroline Morgan (marriage dissolved 1986), having one daughter; then (2nd) in 1988 married Catherine Mary Tyler, having one son and one daughter.

After teaching as an Assistant Master, Marlborough College, from 1965-70, Carter joined the Diplomatic Service in 1971, and his career included the following postings: Warsaw [Poland], (1972); the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, Geneva [Switzerland], (1975); Bonn [Germany], (1975); Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (1978); Brussels [Belgium], (1986); Deputy Governor, Gibraltar, (1990-95); Minister, Moscow [Soviet Union], (1995-97); UK Permanent Representative to Council of Europe, Strasbourg [France], (1997-2003).