Who is Roderick Ian Drummond, the British Ambassador to Tunis?

 

Mr. Roderick Ian Drummond has been appointed as the United Kingdom's Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia, succeeding Ms. Helen Winterton, who will assume a new role within the British Diplomatic Service. Mr. Drummond will take office in September 2024.

 

Born in 1960, Mr. Drummond has had a long and distinguished career within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Since joining in 1985, he has held several key diplomatic positions in strategic regions around the world. From 2019 to 2023, he served as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Bahrain. Prior to that, from 2016 to 2019, he was the Director of Security for the FCO's overseas network and the British government (HMG), overseeing the protection of British interests abroad.

 

From 2013 to 2016, Mr. Drummond served as the British High Commissioner to Fiji and Head of the Pacific South Network, also accredited to the islands of Kiribati, Tonga, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Earlier, from 2009 to 2013, he held the post of Deputy Head of Mission in Riyadh, after serving as Chargé d'Affaires in Doha from 2007 to 2008.

 

Mr. Drummond also served as Deputy Head of Mission in Damascus from 2004 to 2007, in Amman from 2002 to 2004, and as RELEX Counselor at the UK Permanent Representation in Brussels from 1998 to 2002. He also served as Commercial Director and Vice-Consul General in Johannesburg from 1996 to 1998, and as Head of the West and Central Africa Section at the FCO from 1992 to 1995. His early assignments included a role as Second Secretary in Algiers, dealing with political, economic, and commercial issues from 1988 to 1992, following Arabic language training at SOAS and the University of Amman from 1986 to 1988.

 

His extensive diplomatic experience, coupled with his deep knowledge of Arab and international regions, positions Mr. Drummond as a seasoned ambassador capable of strengthening bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Tunisia.

 

Career Path:

 

2019-2023: Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Bahrain

2016-2019: Director of Security for the FCO/HMG Overseas Network

2013-2016: British High Commissioner to Fiji and Head of the Pacific South Network

2009-2013: Deputy Head of Mission in Riyadh

2007-2008: Chargé d'Affaires in Doha

2004-2007: Deputy Head of Mission in Damascus

2002-2004: Deputy Head of Mission in Amman

1998-2002: RELEX Counselor in Brussels (UK Permanent Representation)

1996-1998: Commercial Director and Vice-Consul General in Johannesburg

1992-1995: Head of the West and Central Africa Section at the FCO

1988-1992: Second Secretary in Algiers (Political, Economic, Commercial Affairs)

1986-1988: Arabic language training at SOAS and the University of Amman

1985: Joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)

 

With this wealth of experience, Mr. Drummond is well-positioned to bring valuable diplomatic expertise to his new role in Tunisia.