Dr David Ellis
Biography
Dr David Ellis was appointed as the British Ambassador to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in December 2021.
Previous roles
2016 to 2020: Minister and Deputy Head of Mission to Japan. Responsibilities included advancing UK-Japan relations on political and security issues and oversaw consular, visa and corporate operations.
2011 to 2015: Minister-Counsellor (Political), British Embassy Beijing. Responsibilities included leading political teams covering Chinese domestic politics, human rights, and foreign and security policy.
2007 to 2011: Director of Corporate Services and Consul-General, British Embassy Tokyo. Responsibilities included consular, security, corporate change programmes.
2004 to 2007: Deputy Head of Afghanistan Group, Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) London. Responsibilities included planning and delivery of the UK’s security policy for Southern Afghanistan.
2002 to 2004: Deputy Head of Far Eastern Department, FCO London. Responsibilities included China-EU relations, Cross-Straits relations, East Asian security, Human Rights and UK-China bilateral relations.
1999 to 2002: First Secretary (Political), British Embassy, Beijing. Responsibilities included reporting and analysis of domestic politics, analysis of senior leadership policies and ideological developments.
1996 to 1999: Joined the FCO. Research Officer, then Senior Research Officer, North East Asia and Pacific Research Group, Research Analysts. Specialised in Chinese politics and East Asian security.
David holds a MA (Hons) in Chinese and a PhD in 17th century Chinese literature, both from the University of Edinburgh.
Follow David on Twitter: @DavidEllisFCDO
British Ambassador to Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
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.
Previous roles in government
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Minister and Deputy Head of Mission to Japan