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 organizations. 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 organization 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 Commonwealth and Development Office">Commonwealth of Nations">Commonwealth and Development Office, and then approved by Buckingham Palace.

Resident heads of mission

MissionLocationTypeHead of missionPositionList-
TiranaEmbassyAmbassadorList of [ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Albania|List]-
AlgiersEmbassyAmbassadorList of ambassadors of [the United Kingdom to Algeria|List]-
LuandaEmbassyAmbassadorList of ambassadors of the [United Kingdom to Angola|List]-
Buenos AiresEmbassyAmbassadorList-
YerevanEmbassyAmbassadorList-
CanberraHigh CommissionHigh CommissionerList-
ViennaEmbassyAmbassadorList-
BakuEmbassyAmbassadorList-
Bahamas:List of High Commissioners of the United Kingdom to the Bahamas

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
Qatar-N/ARobert DicksonChargé d'Affaires ad InterimList
Andorra:List of ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Spain

Heads of mission to non-sovereign territories

MissionLocationTypeHead of missionPositionListNotes
Hong Kong:List of Consuls-General of the United Kingdom to Jerusalem