Kirsty Isobel Hayes has been appointed as the new British Ambassador to Portugal, replacing Jill Gallard who will be transferred to another diplomatic service assignment.
The official announcement was made on Monday (June 9), revealing that Hayes will be taking up her appointment in August.
“It is a huge honour to be appointed as British Ambassador to our oldest ally, Portugal,” Hayes said of her new role. “Portugal and the UK have played central roles in shaping world history and continue to share vital interests, like pursuing openness and growth in Europe.”
The soon-to-be ambassador admitted she is “looking forward to working with Portugal in these areas” and to “supporting the many British people who choose to visit or live in this stunning country”.
Hayes also said she was “delighted” to have the chance to explore Portugal’s “rich culture and heritage”, as well as its” beautiful language, which is now amongst the most widely spoken on the planet”.
She first joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1999, working as a desk officer in the Environment Policy Department.
Her most recent post was as Head of the FCO’s International Organisation Department, where she was responsible for policy on the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe), war crimes and sanctions, and was the UK’s lead negotiator at the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Hayes also had postings in Washington and Hong Kong, and has spent three years in Sri Lanka accompanying her husband Peter Richard Hayes who was British High Commissioner at the time.
In London, she worked in a range of areas including the European Union, the environment, human resources and communications.
