Ben Merrick CMG

Biography

Ben was appointed Director of Overseas Territories at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in August 2017. In that role, he holds office as Commissioner of the British Antarctic Territory and Commissioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory. Previously he was the Deputy Director of the Overseas Territories and has worked in the Ministry of Defence and Cabinet Office.

  • August 2017 to present: Director of Overseas Territories
  • July 2015 to August 2017: Deputy Director of the Overseas Territories, Foreign & Commonwealth Office
  • January 2012 to July 2015: Head of Arms Control and Counter Proliferation Policy, Ministry of Defence
  • September 2011 to January 2012: Interim Head of Defence Reform Unit, Ministry of Defence
  • 2009 to August 2011: Head of Defence Acquisition Reform Team, Ministry of Defence
  • 2007 to 2009: Deputy Head Equipment Scrutiny Division, Ministry of Defence
  • 2005 to 2007: Assistant Head of Operation Policy Division, Ministry of Defence
  • 2002 to 2005: Social Exclusion Unit, Cabinet Office
  • 1997 to 2002: Fast streamer working on year-long roles in the naval staff, nuclear policy, equipment approvals, NATO and European policy, and Afghan operations at the Ministry of Defence

Previous roles in government

  • Commissioner, British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)
    • 2017 to 2021
  • Commissioner, British Antarctic Territory
    • 2017 to 2021
  • Director, Overseas Territories
    • 2017 to 2021