On Monday 3rd August, Sir Philip Barton was announced as the Permanent Under-Secretary of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Sir Philip is currently serving as the High Commissioner to New Delhi and has previously served as the acting Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee in the Cabinet Office. Earlier in his career he was the High Commissioner to Islamabad, Deputy Head of Mission in Washington, and Director, Foreign Policy and Afghanistan/Pakistan co-ordinator.
His appointment appears after Boris Johnson announced in June that he planned to merge the Department for International Development (DfID) - which is responsible for overseas aid - into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by September. He replaces Sir Simon McDonald, who was asked in June to step down ahead of the merger. Welcoming his appointment, Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, said, “I am delighted that Sir Philip has been successfully selected as the Permanent Under-Secretary of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. He is an outstanding public servant and diplomat with experience across all areas of foreign policy.
“I’d like to pay tribute to Sir Simon, one of the finest diplomats of his generation, who helped successfully steer the FCO during a remarkable period of change in the world. His legacy of progress and modernisation will be part of the DNA of the new department.”
The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill, said, “I am delighted Sir Philip Barton has been appointed to lead the formation of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Philip will bring to the role an understanding of overseas development funding together with experience of international relations. Under his leadership, I am confident that the new organisation will strengthen the UK’s global leadership by aligning our development and diplomatic efforts to bring more coherence to our international presence.
Commenting on his appointment, Sir Philip Barton said,
“I am delighted to have been appointed as the Permanent Under-Secretary of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. I look forward to bringing together our diplomats and development experts to deliver for the people of the UK and act as a force for good around the world.”
Sir Philip will commence work on his new post on September 1.
