National Security Adviser

Sir Tim Barrow GCMG LVO MBE

Biography

Sir Tim Barrow was appointed as the National Security Adviser in September 2022. Prior to this, Tim was the Second Permanent Under-Secretary and Political Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Tim joined the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in 1986 working in the Western European Department. His first overseas posting was in 1989 as part of the British Days Exhibition, followed by Second Secretary in Moscow. Sir Tim is also the UK Sherpa for the G7 and the G20

His previous roles were:

  • Head of Russia Section
  • Private Secretary to Minister of State
  • First Secretary, UKREP Brussels
  • Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary
  • Head of Common Foreign and Security Department
  • Assistant Director, EU External
  • Deputy Political Director
  • Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Kyiv
  • Representative to the Political and Security Committee of the European Union and Ambassador to the Western - - European Union, UKREP Brussels
  • Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Moscow
  • Political Director
  • UK Ambassador to the European Union, and before that the UK’s Permanent Representative to the EU in Brussels

National Security Adviser

The National Security Adviser is the principal official adviser to the Prime Minister and Cabinet on national security matters. The responsibilities include:

  • Providing advice to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on national security. This includes strategy, policy, capability and civil contingencies.
  • Acting as Secretary to the National Security Council.
  • Leadership to and management of the national security teams in the Cabinet Office.
  • Bringing together the wider national security community across Whitehall and our overseas network.
  • Cultivating and maintaining a network of international stakeholders as well as contacts with relevant counterparts, businesses, industry and civil society groups.

Cabinet Office and National security and intelligence

Previous roles in government

  • Second Permanent Under-Secretary and Political Director
    • 2022 to 2022
  • Political Director
    • 2020 to 2022
  • UK Ambassador to the EU
    • 2020 to 2020
  • UK Permanent Representative to the EU
    • 2017 to 2020
  • Director General, Political
    • 2016 to 2017
  • British Ambassador to Russia
    • 2011 to 2016