Thomas Macan was born 14 November 1946, older son of Dr Thomas Townley Macan and Zaida Bindloss (née Boddington). He was educated at Shrewsbury School and the University of Sussex (BA Hons Economics) and was President of the Students’ Union there from 1967-68. In 1976, he married Janet Ellen Martin, of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, having one son and one daughter.

Macan joined the Diplomatic Service in 1969 and served in the following posts; United Nations Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Department, 1969-71; Bonn [Germany], 1971-74; Brasilia [Brazil], 1974-78; Maritime, Aviation and Environment Department, FCO, 1978-81; Press Secretary, Bonn, 1981-86; Head, Commonwealth Co-ordination Department, FCO, 1986-88; Head, Training Department, FCO, 1988-90; Counsellor, Lisbon [Portugal], 1990-94; Ambassador to Lithuania, 1995-98; on secondment to BOC Group, 1998-99; Minister and Deputy High Commissioner, New Delhi [India], 1999-2002; Governor, British Virgin Islands, 2002-06.