Thomas Phipps MBE
Biography
Thomas (Tom) Phipps is the Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Israel. Prior to taking up his current post, Tom was Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Libya. Prior to that, he served for five years, latterly as Political Counsellor, at the UK Mission to the UN in New York.
Tom is a career diplomat, who joined the UK Foreign Service in 2009. He has also served as Political Counsellor in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Second Secretary in Manila, Philippines, where he led on the UK’s engagement in the Mindanao Peace Process. In London he has held roles in the FCDO’s Climate Change and Energy Department, Counter Terrorism Department, and as Head of the East Africa Team. He holds a BA (hons) in History and Politics from Queen Mary College, University of London and a Masters in International Relations from the University of Sydney.
Prior to joining the FCDO, Tom worked in think tanks in the UK and Australia and in the private sector for five years.
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.