Helen Twist
Biography
Helen Twist is Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Israel.
Prior to her current role, Helen was Private Secretary to the Permanent Under-Secretaries, responsible for supporting their overall leadership of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London.
Previously she worked in the Prime Minister’s Office (No.10) and in the Cabinet Office, on Business Engagement and the UK’s responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and COVID-19. She covered the Middle East and North Africa in Brussels from 2019-2020 as Second Secretary at the UK Representation to the European Union and has focused on Europe, Defence and Security policy in a variety of roles in London.
Before joining the UK Foreign Service as a career diplomat in 2016, Helen worked at the Middle East Desalination Research Centre in Muscat and the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) in London.
Deputy Head of Mission, Israel
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.