Press release

Change of British High Commissioner to Kenya: Matt Baugh

Mr Matt Baugh OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya, in succession to Mr Neil Wigan OBE.

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Published: 7 April 2026

Mr Matt Baugh OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya in succession to Mr Neil Wigan OBE, who has taken up another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Baugh will take up his appointment during April 2026. 

Curriculum vitae  

Full name:  John William Matthew Baugh   

Year	Role
2026	Pre-posting training (incl. Swahili language training)
2024 to 2025	FCDO, Director, Migration & Conflict
2022 to 2024	FCDO, Director, Euro-Atlantic Security
2020 to 2022	Brussels, Ambassador to EU Political & Security Committee later Director, Political & Security, UKMis EU
2019	Pre-posting training (incl. French language training)
2016 to 2019	DExEU, Director, Strategy & Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State
2013 to 2016	FCO, Deputy Director, Africa
2010 to 2013	Mogadishu, Her Majesty’s Ambassador
2009	UK Higher Command and Staff Course
2008 to 2009	DFID, Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State
2006 to 2007	DFID, Deputy Director, Iraq Department
2004 to 2006	DFID-FCO-MOD, Head, Joint Post-Conflict Reconstruction Unit
2002 to 2004	Khartoum, DFID Country Representative
2000 to 2002	DFID, Head of Global Emergencies
2001 to 2002	DFID, Head of Afghanistan Crisis unit
1999 to 2001	DFID, Head of Kosovo Crisis unit
1998	Joined DFID Fast Stream
1997	Joined MOD Fast Stream

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Published 7 April 2026