Diana Dalton
Biography
Diana Dalton took up her role as Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director at the British High Commission in Kenya in early November ’25, where she is responsible for leadership of a range of thematic issues spanning growth, prosperity and climate change, through to humanitarian assistance, human development and science and technology. Prior to this she held several leadership roles based in the UK. Most recently she headed up FCDO’s international work on Gender and Equalities, with responsibility for gender-equality, gender-based violence and harmful practices, LGBT+ rights, disability inclusion and social protection. Other roles include leadership of FCDO’s global science and research work, heading up the United Nations and Commonwealth Department and Country Representative for the UK’s £250m per year development operation in Bangladesh.
Before joining the UK’s civil service, Diana held different operational and policy roles in the international development NGO sector, including Country Director for Voluntary Service Overseas’ Myanmar and Thailand programme, and Global Communications and Advocacy Manager for the International Save the Children Alliance.
Before moving to Nairobi, Diana has been based with her family in Edinburgh for the last ten years.
Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director to Kenya
In some countries, the Deputy High Commissioner leads a subordinate office to the High Commission in another major city. The Deputy High Commissioner fulfils a similar role to a Consul General, representing the UK government and typically responsible for consular, visa and trade activities in their city or region.