Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Portugal
Mrs Kirsty Hayes is Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic.
Mrs Kirsty Isobel Hayes has been posted as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic since August 2014. She succeeded Mrs Jill Gallard who has transferred to another Diplomatic Service appointment.
Mrs Hayes joined the FCO in 1999. 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, OSCE, war crimes and sanctions, and was the UK’s lead negotiator at the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. She has had postings in Washington and Hong Kong, as well as spending three years in Sri Lanka accompanying her husband who was then British High Commissioner. Whilst in London she has worked on areas including the European Union, the environment, human resources and communications.
On her appointment as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic, Mrs Hayes has said:
It is a huge honour to be appointed as British Ambassador to our oldest ally, Portugal. Portugal and the UK have played central roles in shaping world history and continue to share vital interests, including in pursuing openness and growth in Europe. I look 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. I am also 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.
Curriculum vitae
| Personal details | |
|---|---|
| Full name: | Kirsty Isobel Hayes |
| Married to: | Dr Peter Richard Hayes |
| Children: | One daughter, one son |
| Nov 2011 – present | FCO, Head, International Organisations Department |
| Oct 2011 – Nov 2011 | FCO, 2012 Unit |
| Dec 2010 – Oct 2011 | FCO, Head, Corporate Communications Department |
| Mar 2008 – Mar 2009 | International Contractor to UN Development Programme Regional Centre in Colombo |
| Mar 2007 – Feb 2008 | FCO, Deputy Head, Human Resources (training, recruitment and development section) |
| Feb 2007 | FCO, Head, Human Resources (Diversity & Development Team) |
| Aug 2005 – Mar 2006 | FCO, Head, Institutions/France Team, Common Foreign & Security Policy Group |
| Feb 2002 – Jun 2004 | Washington, Private Secretary to HM Ambassador |
| Dec 2001 – Feb 2002 | Washington, (Temporary) Second Secretary (Economic) |
| Sep 2000 – Nov 2001 | Hong Kong, Vice-Consul (Political/Economic) |
| Sep 1999 - Sep 2000 | FCO, Desk Officer (Biodiversity), Environment Policy Department |
Further information
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