UK Special Envoy to Afghanistan

Richard Lindsay

Biography

Richard Lindsay was appointed UK Special Envoy to Afghanistan in June 2025. He was Deputy Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan from 2022 to 2025.

Richard has served overseas as British High Commissioner to Brunei and had postings in Brazil, Australia and Zimbabwe.

Richard was Head of Strategic Engagement Department in FCDO in 2021 during the UK G7 Presidency.

Previous leadership roles in FCO included Head of Security Policy Department, and Head of Crisis Management Department.

He previously worked on Pakistan and South Asia regional issues from 2003 to 2005.

Richard joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1996.

Date	Role
2022 to 2025	FCDO, Deputy Director, Afghanistan and Pakistan
2020 to 2021	FCDO, Head of Strategic Engagement Department
2017 to 2020	Brunei Darussalam, British High Commissioner
2014 to 2016	FCO, Head of Security Policy Department
2014	FCO, Head of Crisis Management Department
2013 to 2014	Brasilia, Prosperity Counsellor
2010 to 2013	FCO, Deputy Head, Security Policy Department
2009 to 2010	FCO, Conflict Group
2006 to 2009	Canberra, First Secretary, Foreign and Security Policy
2003 to 2005	FCO, Head, Pakistan and India-Pakistan Relations Team, South Asia Group
2001 to 2003	FCO, Head, Economic Summits (G8) and Institutions (OECD) Team, Economic Policy Department
2001	FCO, Political/Military Team, Afghanistan Emergency Unit
1998 to 2001	Harare, Second Secretary, Political
1996 to 1998	FCO, Resource Planning Department
1996	Joined FCO

The UK Special Envoy to Afghanistan leads UK government engagement in Afghanistan. The Special Envoy’s work includes:

engaging with the Taliban in Afghanistan on UK priorities including counter terrorism, human rights, and humanitarian access
supporting dialogues to work towards more inclusive governance
engaging with a range of Afghans, including women, and religious and ethnic minorities
working with regional countries on shared priorities on Afghanistan