Press release

Sir Tim Barrow appointed as UK Permanent Representative to the EU

Sir Tim Barrow has been appointed the UK’s Permanent Representative to the European Union and will take up the role next week.

Currently the Foreign Office’s Political Director, Sir Tim has had a 30-year diplomatic career. He previously served as the UK’s Ambassador to Moscow and before that he worked at the UK Representation to the EU (UKRep) as UK Representative to the Political and Security Committee of the EU from 2008 to 2011. His earlier EU experience includes spells as an Assistant Director in the Europe Directorate and a First Secretary in UKRep.

On his appointment, Sir Tim said:

I am honoured to be appointed as the UK’s Permanent Representative to the EU at this crucial time. I look forward to joining the strong leadership team at the Department for Exiting the EU and working with them and the talented staff at UKRep to ensure we get the right outcome for the United Kingdom as we leave the EU.

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

We are delighted that Tim Barrow is taking up this role. A seasoned and tough negotiator, with extensive experience of securing UK objectives in Brussels, he will bring his trademark energy and creativity to this job – working alongside other senior officials and ministers to make a success of Brexit.

Sir Tim Barrow has been appointed with the approval of the Prime Minister on the advice of the Cabinet Secretary.

Curriculum Vitae

Personal details

Full name: Sir Tim Barrow

Married to: Alison

Children: 2 sons, 2 daughters

Period Posts
2016 Political Director, member of the FCO board – overseeing international organisations, multilateral policy, Eastern Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Africa, South Asia and Afghanistan
2011 to 2016 British Embassy Moscow – Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Russia
2008 to 2011 UKRep Brussels – UK Representative to the Political and Security Committee of the European Union and Ambassador to the Western European Union
2006 to 2008 British Embassy Kiev – Her Majesty‘s Ambassador to Ukraine
2005 to 2006 Deputy Political Director
2003 to 2005 Europe Directorate – Assistant Director EU External, including during the UK’s Presidency of the EU in 2005
2000 to 2003 Europe Directorate – Head of Common Foreign and Security Department
1998 to 2000 Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary Robin Cook – advising on EU, Russia and Middle East
1996 to 1998 UKRep Brussels – First Secretary (Antici), advising the UK Permanent Representative to the EU
1994 to 1996 Private Secretary to Minister of State
1993 to 1994 Head of Russia Section
1990 to 1993 British Embassy Moscow
1989 British Embassy Kiev – British Days Exhibition, showcasing British business excellence and expertise
1989 United Nations General Assembly
1988 to 1989 Russian language training
1987 to 1988 Europe Directorate – Desk Officer for Western Europe
1986 Joined FCO
Published 4 January 2017