Ambassador and Permanent Representative, UK Mission to the UN New York
Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE
Biography
Dame Barbara Woodward became the UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York in December 2020.
Barbara served as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to China from 2015 to 2020. She joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1994, and has worked in China, Russia, the EU and at the UN.
Curriculum vitae
| 2020 to Present | UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York |
|---|---|
| 2015 to 2020 | HM Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China |
| 2011 to 2014 | FCO, Director General (Economic & Consular) |
| 2009 to 2011 | UK Border Agency, International Director |
| 2003 to 2009 | Beijing, Political Counsellor, later Minister and Deputy Head of Mission |
| 2001 to 2003 | FCO, Deputy Head, Human Rights Policy Department |
| 1999 to 2001 | FCO, Head, EU Enlargement Section |
| 1998 to 1999 | FCO, Agenda 2000 Negotiating Team, EU Department |
| 1994 to 1998 | Moscow, Second later First Secretary (Commercial/Political) |
| 1994 | Joined FCO |
| 1991 to 1993 | Cabinet Office European Fast Stream, seconded to FCO EU Directorate including on 1992 EU Presidency |
| 1990 to 1991 | Joined ODA (now DFID) seconded to FCO Joint Assistance Unit |
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Ambassador and Permanent Representative, UK Mission to the UN New York
The Ambassador’s role is to represent the UK within an international organisation, engaging with every other country or organisation that belongs to or observes the body. The Ambassador is also responsible for the direction and work of the Mission. Ambassadors to multilateral missions are often referred to as ‘Permanent Representatives’.
Previous roles in government
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British Ambassador to China
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Director General, Economic and Global Issues