Charley Williams MBE
Biography
Charley Williams is currently Deputy British High Commissioner, a role she has held since February 2023. She covers Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Lucia, and St Kitts & Nevis.
Prior to taking up this position, Charley served in diplomatic postings in Australia as Head of Foreign and Security Policy (2017–2022), and in Kenya as Head of Communications (2006–2010).
Before moving to Barbados, Charley was based in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London, leading a team supporting British nationals in Ukraine. Earlier UK-based roles included Head of the FCO’s Commonwealth Team and work on EU institutions and treaty negotiations. She brings a strong communications background, including leading on Afghanistan in the FCO’s Press Office for four years. She also led government media operations for the NATO Summit in Wales in 2014, and was the FCO’s representative on the Government Olympic Communication team for London 2012.
Charley graduated in Modern History from the University of Oxford (Worcester College) and worked in the sports sector, including on the ICC Cricket World Cup, before joining the Diplomatic Service in 2003.
Deputy Head of Mission to Barbados, and non-resident High Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines
The Deputy Head of Mission is a senior diplomat and typically a key advisor to the Ambassador or High Commissioner. The Deputy is responsible for the daily management of an overseas Embassy or High Commission. They will represent the UK’s interests in the absence of the Ambassador as Chargé d’Affaires. A senior ranking Deputy may also take the title Minister. Smaller missions may not have a Deputy Head.