Charles Nicholas King
Biography
Charles Nicholas King was appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Somalia in May 2025, succeeding Michael Nithavrianakis MVO.
He joined the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in 2004 and has held a range of senior roles focused on diplomacy, conflict resolution, and regional affairs. Most recently, he served as Joint Head of the Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories Gaza Task Force (2023–2024). From 2020 to 2023, he was Head of the Levant and North Africa Department and the UK Special Representative for Syria.
His previous overseas postings include Paris, Istanbul, Baghdad, and Damascus, with a strong focus on Middle Eastern and North African geopolitics. He has also worked on UK policy related to Afghanistan and Libya. Earlier in his career, he undertook Arabic language training in Cairo and held roles covering EU accessions and consular affairs.
He speaks Arabic and French, and brings extensive experience in regional diplomacy and UK foreign policy to his role in Somalia.
British Ambassador to Somalia
The Ambassador represents His Majesty The King and the UK government in the country to which they are appointed. They are responsible for the direction and work of the embassy and its consulates, including political work, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.