Rita French
Biography
Rita French is Britain’s Global Ambassador for Human Rights and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva. Rita was appointed in May 2019.
Rita has over 20 years of experience in public service. Rita began her career as an economist advising on tobacco and alcohol taxation at HM Revenue and Customs. She moved into a number of policy roles at HM Treasury including advising on environmental policy, local government, enterprise policy, and worked on a joint review with the Department for Transport on developing a strategy for transport investment. She also worked in the private office of the then Chancellor of the Exchequer as his speech writer.
Rita was Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Culture working with the department to oversee delivery of the London 2012 Olympics. In her last role, Rita was Director for Media and was Senior Responsible Officer for the BBC and Ofcom where she chaired a number of senior Board appointments. She coordinated the government’s response to the Leveson phone-hacking inquiry and delivered an ambitious change programme for Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. She also sat on the Department’s Board.
Rita holds an undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Economics. She is married and has a daughter and son.
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Global Ambassador for Human Rights and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva
The creation of the position of Global Ambassador for Human Rights, a first for the UK, is a demonstration of UK’s strong commitment to defend and advance human rights and democracy globally, including to deliver sustainable growth, peace and security, and fair and open societies.
The Ambassador for Human Rights has three main objectives:
- protecting and promoting human rights within the multilateral system, including at the United Nations Human Rights Council
- working in partnership with countries to support and advance human rights
- promoting the UK’s priority campaigns including girls’ education, violence against women, media freedom, democratic societies and freedom of religion or belief
The Ambassador also engages regularly with civil society and human rights defenders.
Through country missions, the Ambassador engages with states, human rights institutions and international partners to champion positive progress made by states, encourage advancement, and identify areas for collaboration and partnership to support states improve the protections and promotion of human rights domestically. Read here recent articles on ending FGM and accountability for human rights atrocities.
The Ambassador works in partnership with European counterparts to shine a spotlight on human rights concerns globally. Read a blog about the European Human Rights Ambassadors.
Previous roles in government
- Director, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport - 2011 to 2015
Previous roles in government
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Director