The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has announced the appointment of Sarah Hulton OBE as the new British Ambassador to the Philippines and non-resident Ambassador to Palau, replacing Laure Beaufils.
Mrs Hulton will take up her appointment effective September 2025. She is currently the Interim Director of the Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate. This follows a distinguished diplomatic and leadership career spanning over two decades.
Hulton recently served as Deputy Director for Human Resources at the FCDO in 2024, following a term as Interim Director for Geopolitics and Deputy Political Director from 2023 to 2024.
From 2019 to 2023, Hulton was appointed as the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, based in Colombo, where she played a critical role in strengthening bilateral relations and supporting the UK’s strategic interests in the region.
Hulton has held several senior roles at the FCDO and its predecessor, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), including:
- Deputy Director, Human Resources (2018–2019)
- Head of the DPRK Department (2017–2018)
- Head of the Pacific Department (2015–2017)
- Head of the Political Section, Harare (2012–2015)
- Head of the Conflict Prevention Team (2010)
- Head of Weapons of Mass Destruction Controls (2008–2010)
Earlier in her career, Hulton served overseas in Manila as Second Secretary and political and Public Policy Adviser (2005–2008) and underwent full-time Tagalog language training in 2004–2005. She began her FCO career in 2002 and held early roles, including Head of the Child Abduction Unit and Desk Officer for Counterterrorism.
With deep experience in geopolitics, security, human rights, and multilateral diplomacy, Hulton brings expertise to her new role overseeing the UK’s responsibilities in the Overseas Territories and the Polar Regions.
