Press release

Change of the Head of the UK Delegation to OSCE in Vienna

Ms Sian MacLeod has been appointed Head of the UK’s Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Vienna.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Ms Sian MacLeod

Ms Sian MacLeod has been appointed Head of the United Kingdom’s Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna in succession to Mr Dominic Schroeder, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms MacLeod will hold the personal rank of Ambassador and will take up her appointment during August 2015.

Ms MacLeod joined the FCO in 1986 and has served as Ambassador to the Czech Republic 2009-13, as well as in the British Embassies in Moscow (twice), The Hague and Vilnius. Between overseas postings she has worked in the FCO and the Cabinet Office, mainly in the areas of Eastern Europe and international security.

On her appointment as Head of the United Kingdom’s Delegation to the OSCE in Vienna, Ms MacLeod has said:

It is an honour and privilege for me to be appointed Head of the UK Delegation at this time. The OSCE sits at the heart of efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis, and over the coming months and years will have an important role to play in strengthening security and stability in Europe

I look forward to working with international partners to uphold and promote the principles upon which the OSCE is founded and to which the UK is strongly committed. I will be working for the greatest possible OSCE success in preventing and resolving conflict, supporting rights and freedoms, and building strong, healthy societies so that all Europeans may enjoy sustainable peace and security.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name Sian MacLeod OBE
2014 FCO, Additional Director, Eastern European & Central Asian Directorate
2013 – 2014 Director, British Council Triennial Review
2009 – 2013 Prague, Her Majesty’s Ambassador
2007 – 2008 Head of Whitehall Liaison Department
2004 – 2007 Moscow, Head of Political Section, then Minister and Deputy Head of Mission
2002 – 2004 Cabinet Office, Deputy Chief of Assessments Staff
2000 – 2001 FCO, Deputy Head of Counter Terrorism Policy Department
1996 – 2000 The Hague, Head of Political Section
1995 – 1996 FCO, Personnel Management Department
1993 – 1994 FCO, Head of Biological and Chemical Weapons Section, Arms Control and Disarmament Department
1992 FCO, Head of Russia Section, Joint Assistance Unit
1992 Vilnius, Deputy Head of Mission
1988 – 1992 Moscow, Second Secretary
1987 – 1988 Language training (Russian)
1986 – 1987 FCO, Desk Officer, South African Department
1986 Joined FCO

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Published 17 March 2015