The Foreign Secretary has appointed Dame as the UK
Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
She is currently the British Ambassador to China and previously
served as the Foreign Office’s Director General for Economic and
Consular Affairs and the International Director of UK Border
Force.
She succeeds , now British
Ambassador to the United States.
Foreign Secretary said:
“I am delighted to announce Dame as our next
Ambassador to the United Nations in New York.
“Dame Barbara will bring her formidable intellect and dynamic
diplomatic skills to bear - to deliver for Britain, and forge the
cooperation we need with our international partners to tackle the
toughest global challenges we face.”
FCO Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Simon McDonald said:
“The UK has a proud history of tackling the world’s most pressing
issues through the United Nations. Barbara is a fantastic
diplomat who has the skills and experience to lead this important
work, and I congratulate her on the appointment.”
Dame said:
“I am honoured and delighted to be asked to lead the UK’s mission
at the United Nations at a time when the rules-based
international system faces pressing global challenges and a
significant reform agenda. The UK has a vital role to play as a
permanent member of the UN Security Council and the UN’s
third-largest donor.”
Biography
· Barbara joined the Foreign Office in 1994 having worked in DfID
(then ODA) and the Cabinet Office.
· Barbara’s first posting was to the UK Embassy in Moscow in 1994
before serving as Head of the EU Enlargement Section from
1999-2001 and Deputy Head of the Human Rights Policy Department
between 2001 and 2003.
· Barbara was first posted to China in 2003, rising to Deputy
Head of Mission before moving to the UK Border Force to serve as
the International Director from 2009 to 2011.
· Barbara was appointed Director General (Economic &
Consular) in 2011 before returning to China as Ambassador in
2015.
