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Change of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines

Mr Asif Anwar Ahmad has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Asif Anwar Ahmad | Crown Copyright

Asif Anwar Ahmad

He will succeed Mr Stephen Lillie, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Ahmad will take up his appointment during July 2013.

Mr Ahmad joined the FCO in 1999 and began his career in the Resource Planning Department. He went on to head the Commonwealth Co-ordination Department and worked for a time in the Prime Minister’s Office. His roles in UKTI and the FCO over seven years covered the Asia Pacific region, including the Philippines. He served as Ambassador to Thailand from 2010 to 2012.

On his appointment as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr Ahmad has said:

“I hope to build on the strong links between our two countries and play my part in enhancing economic ties as well as the connections between our citizens. Manila is an important and growing hub for our global and regional embassy operations.”

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Asif Anwar Ahmad
Married to: Zubeda Khamboo
Children: Three sons, one daughter
2012 - present Full time language training (Filipino)
2010 - 2012 Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Bangkok
2008 - 2010 FCO, Head, South East Asia and Pacific Department
2004 - 2008 UK Trade and Investment, Director Asia
2002 - 2004 FCO, Head of Commonwealth Co-ordination Department (assigned to the Prime Minister’s Office as Head of the Communication and Information Centre during 2003-4)
2000 - 2002 FCO, Deputy Head of Department, Resource Budgeting Department
1999 - 2000 FCO, Desk Officer, Resource Planning Department
1999 Joined FCO after a career of 20 years in banking
Published 28 February 2013