Jonathan Knight LVO VR
Biography
Jonathan Knight was appointed as Deputy Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates in August 2023.
Originally from Berkshire in the south of England, he read Politics and International Relations at Aberdeen University before joining the Royal Air Force, serving at stations across the United Kingdom.
Jonathan joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2008 and has served as Deputy Consul General Basra, Iraq, and Deputy High Commissioner to Malta, during which he also obtained a Master’s Degree from the University of St Andrews. In London he has undertaken a variety of roles across the National Security Directorate, including working on a range of crises.
He has also undertaken a range of secondments, including to the Royal Household, the Home Office, and the Ministry of Defence. Most recently he served as Defence’s first Deputy Director for the Indo-Pacific, and as Silver Commander for the Coronation of King Charles III.
Alongside his diplomatic role Jonathan has been a volunteer with the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for over 20 years, and serves as an Ambassador for the Royal Air Force Museum.
Deputy Head of Mission, United Arab Emirates
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.