Melinda Simmons | |
---|---|
British Ambassador to Ukraine | |
In office 2019–2023 | |
Monarchs | Elizabeth II Charles III |
Prime Minister | Boris Johnson Liz Truss Rishi Sunak |
Preceded by | Judith Gough |
Succeeded by | Martin Harris |
Personal details | |
Born | Melinda Veronica Simmons 1966 London,United Kingdom |
Nationality | United Kingdom |
Spouse | Stephen Bevan |
Alma mater | University of Exeter (BA) University of North London (MA) |
Profession | Diplomat |
Dame Melinda Veronica Simmons DCMG (born 1966) is a British diplomat who served as the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ukraine from 2019 to 2023. [1] [2]
Simmons,who is of Polish,Lithuanian and Ukrainian heritage,was born to Jewish parents in the East End of London. [3] She was educated at the City of London School for Girls,before reading Modern Languages (French and German) at the University of Exeter,where she graduated as BA (Hons) in 1988. She then pursued further studies in European Politics at the University of North London,receiving a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 1995. Dame Melinda is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.[ citation needed ]
From 1990 to 1992,Simmons was Head of International Department/Associate Director at the Register Group (International marketing and advertising research). She then became International Marketing Manager at Primesight International (outdoor advertising) from 1992 to 1994. From 1994 to 1998,she was Public Affairs Officer at International Alert (conflict resolution NGO) and from 1998 onwards she held roles at the Department for International Development (DfID).[ citation needed ]
From 1998 to 2003,Simmons held various positions including working with businesses to develop an ethical trademark;managing land restitution in the former Soviet Union;developing global policy on conflict prevention and resolution and setting up the Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP),bringing together the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO),Ministry of Defence (MoD) and DfID to collaborate on conflict prevention/resolution programmes in South Asia and the Middle East,becoming Head of the Africa Team,2500 Unit (2003–05).[ citation needed ]
From 2005 to 2008,Simmons was head of DfID's Southern Africa office in Pretoria. [4] She then became Deputy Director,Middle East and North Africa (2008–09);Deputy Director,Humanitarian Emergency Response Review (2010–11),then Head of the Europe Department (2011–13). [5]
From 2013 to 2016,Simmons worked at the FCO as Deputy Director of the Conflict Department. [6] She was the Head of the National Security Secretariat (Joint Programme Hub) from 2016 to 2017 and National Security Secretariat Director (Joint Funds Unit) from 2017 to 2018.[ citation needed ]
After undertaking full-time language training (in Ukrainian) with the FCO from 2018, [7] in 2019,Simmons was appointed British Ambassador to Kyiv,Ukraine. [8]
She departed Kyiv on 19 February 2022 and finally left Ukraine,under advice,on 7 March 2022 following the Russian invasion, [9] returning to her office at the British Embassy in Kyiv at the end of April 2022.
Simmons was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to British foreign policy. [2]
Simmons is Jewish and is a member of Finchley Reform Synagogue in London. [10]
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George,Prince of Wales,while he was acting as prince regent for his father,King George III. It is named in honour of two military saints,Michael and George.
Dame Nicola Mary Brewer is a former British diplomat and university administrator. From 2014 to 2020,she was Vice-Provost (International) at University College London,she was British High Commissioner to South Africa from 2009 to 2013,and the first Chief Executive of Britain's Equality and Human Rights Commission from 2007 to 2009.
Dame Maeve Geraldine FortDCMG DCVO was a British diplomat. During her posting as the United Kingdom's High Commissioner in South Africa from 1996 to 2000,she was the highest ranking female diplomat in Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service.
Israel–Ukraine relations are foreign relations between Israel and Ukraine. Both countries recognized each other on 11 May 1949 as the Ukrainian SSR and established de jure diplomatic relations on 26 December 1991 when Ukraine became independent. Israel has an embassy in Kyiv. Ukraine has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a consulate-general in Haifa. There are 30,000 Ukrainians settled in Israel,while Ukraine has one of Europe's largest Jewish communities. Ukraine was also the first state outside of Israel to have had both a Jewish president and prime minister simultaneously.
Dame Anne Fyfe Pringle is a British diplomat and the former HM Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Russian Federation. From 2001 to 2004,Pringle was the British ambassador to the Czech Republic. Pringle presented her Letter of Credence to President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev on 16 January 2009.
Dame Rosalind Mary Marsden is a British diplomat and public servant. She was European Union Special Representative to Sudan from 2010 to 2013. Dame Rosalind is a Patron of the charity Kids for Kids,helping children in Darfur,Sudan. She is currently an Associate Fellow in the Africa Programme at Chatham House.
Dame Shan Elizabeth Morgan is a former British civil servant. Formerly the Deputy Permanent Representative,UK Representation to the European Union,she was the Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Government until October 2021.
Dame Karen Elizabeth Pierce,Lady Roxburgh,,is a British diplomat who is currently British Ambassador to the United States at the Foreign,Commonwealth and Development Office,and was previously the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations.
The British Embassy Kyiv is the British sovereign's diplomatic mission to Ukraine,representing the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom's interests. The embassy is located on Desyatynna street in the Pecherskyi District of the city,right opposite to the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The British Ambassador to Ukraine is Martin Harris who was appointed in 2023.
Dame Alison Mariot Leslie,,known as Mariot Leslie,is a former British diplomat whose last post was Permanent Representative to NATO. When she was replaced at NATO it was announced that she would retire from the Diplomatic Service.
Dame Judith Anne Macgregor is a British diplomat who was High Commissioner to South Africa from 2013 to 2017. She previously served as Ambassador to Slovakia from 2004 to 2007,and Ambassador to Mexico from 2009 to 2013.
Dame Barbara Janet Woodward is a British diplomat and China expert. She is the current Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations,having previously served as British Ambassador to China from 2015 to 2020,the first woman to hold that position.
Finchley Reform Synagogue is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue,located at 101 Fallow Court Avenue,North Finchley,in the Borough of Barnet in London,England,in the United Kingdom.
Dame Menna Frances Rawlings is a British diplomat serving as British Ambassador to France since 2021. Previously British High Commissioner to Australia from 2015 to 2019,she then served as Director General of Economic and Global Issues at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 2019 to 2020.
Dame Sarah MacIntosh is a British diplomat who is the Deputy National Security Adviser for International Affairs. She previously served as High Commissioner to Sierra Leone,Ambassador to Liberia and British Ambassador to NATO from 2017 to 2022.
Dame Caroline Elizabeth Wilson is a British diplomat and lawyer who assumed office as the British Ambassador to China in September 2020.
Dame Deborah Jane Bronnert is a British diplomat and civil servant. Bronnert served as British Ambassador to Russia from 2020 to 2023. Earlier in her career,she served in other positions at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO),including as Ambassador to Zimbabwe from 2011 to 2014.
Dame Audrey Francis Glover,,is a British international lawyer,experienced election observer,former director of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (1994-1997).
Martin Fergus Harris is a British diplomat who has served as British Ambassador to Ukraine since 2023. He previously served as British Ambassador to Romania from 2010 to 2014.