Charles Farr

Biography

Charles Farr was appointed as Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee and Professional Head of Intelligence Assessment at Cabinet Office in December 2015.

Charles was the Director General of the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) at the Home Office from June 2007 until December 2015. He was responsible for the cross-government UK counter terrorist strategy, CONTEST and cross-government work on organised crime.

Charles joined the Diplomatic Service in 1985 and has served at British Embassies in South Africa and Jordan. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2002 New Years Honours list for his service overseas for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and a CMG in 2009. Since 2003, he has held a number of senior posts across Whitehall concerned with security and counter terrorism.

Previous roles in government

  • Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee
  • Director General, Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism