Heads of Diplomatic Missions of the United Kingdom


The Heads of British diplomatic missions are persons appointed as senior diplomats to individual nations, or international organisations. They are usually appointed as ambassadors, except in member countries of the Commonwealth of Nations where a high commissioner is appointed. The head of mission to an international organisation is usually a permanent representative. For some nations a consul or consul-general is appointed.
The positions have a dual role, being representatives of the British Monarchy and the British Government; they are recommended by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and then approved by Buckingham Palace.

Resident heads of mission

Non-resident heads of mission

The United Kingdom does not maintain a full embassy or High Commission in a number of countries. In each of these cases the head of mission to another country, usually a neighbouring one, is also accredited to the other country. In most cases a smaller, local mission provides for emergencies, and is headed by a lesser diplomat or a member of the local British community.
In April 2018 the Foreign Secretary announced the opening of nine new diplomatic posts across the Commonwealth. As a result, some countries which currently have non-resident High Commissioners are to receive resident High Commissioners. The expected dates of residence are noted below for those countries where an appointment has been announced.
MissionResident CountryLocal LocationLocal MissionNon-Resident Head of missionLocal PositionList
SpainNoneN/AAmbassador
BarbadosSt John'sHonorary ConsulHigh Commissioner

Resident expected August 2019		JamaicaNoneN/AHigh CommissionerList
NigeriaNoneN/AAmbassador
GhanaOuagadougouHonorary ConsulAmbassador
RwandaBujumburaLiaison OfficeAmbassador
SenegalSão VicenteConsulAmbassador
CameroonNoneN/AAmbassador
CameroonN'DjamenaBritish OfficeAmbassador
MadagascarMoroniN/AAmbassador
Democratic Republic of CongoBrazzavilleHonorary ConsulAmbassador
EthiopiaDjibouti CityHonorary ConsulAmbassador
BarbadosRoseauHonorary ConsulHigh Commissioner
IndonesiaJakartaHonorary ConsulAmbassador
CameroonMalaboHonorary ConsulAmbassador

Resident expected summer 2019		South AfricaNoneN/AHigh Commissioner
CameroonLibrevilleHonorary ConsulAmbassador
BarbadosSt George'sHonorary ConsulHigh Commissioner
SenegalBissauHonorary ConsulAmbassador
Dominican RepublicPort-au-PrinceConsulAmbassadorList
GuatemalaTegucigalpaHonorary ConsulAmbassadorList
FijiNoneN/AHigh Commissioner
SwitzerlandNoneN/AAmbassador
Sri LankaMaléHonorary ConsulHigh Commissioner
FijiNoneN/AAmbassador
FijiNoneN/AAmbassador
FranceMonacoHonorary ConsulateAmbassador
Solomon IslandsNoneN/AHigh Commissioner
Costa RicaManaguaEmbassyAmbassadorList
MaliNoneN/AAmbassador
PhilippinesNoneN/AAmbassador
BarbadosBasseterreHonorary ConsulHigh Commissioner
BarbadosCastriesHigh CommissionHigh Commissioner
BarbadosKingstownHonorary ConsulHigh Commissioner
New ZealandNoneN/AHigh Commissioner
ItalyRomeConsulate-GeneralAmbassador
AngolaSão ToméConsulateAmbassador
GuyanaParamariboConsulateAmbassador
IndonesiaNoneN/AAmbassador
GhanaNoneN/AAmbassador

Resident expected summer 2019		FijiNoneN/AHigh CommissionerList
FijiNoneN/AHigh Commissioner

Resident expected summer 2019		Solomon IslandsNoneN/AHigh Commissioner

Heads of mission to non-sovereign territories

MissionLocationTypeHead of missionPositionListNotes
Hong KongConsulate-GeneralConsul-GeneralListFunctions held by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, British Council and British Trade Commission prior to 1997
JerusalemEast JerusalemConsulate-GeneralConsul-GeneralListMission to the occupied Palestinian territories
MacauHonorary ConsulateGlenn McCartneyHonorary ConsulFull consular services for Macau are provided via the Consulate in Hong Kong and the Consul-General to Hong Kong is the official diplomat for Macau

Heads of mission to international organisations