Ben Matthews
![](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663b89541834d96a0aa6d2b8/s465_Ben_matthews_photo_resized.png)
Biography
Ben took up his role as the new Deputy Head of Mission and Political-Security Counsellor, UK Mission to ASEAN, in January 2024. Ben is particularly interested in strengthening UK – Indo-Pacific relations and this is his third posting to Asia. Before he took up his posting to ASEAN, Ben worked on the UK’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, following a posting to Seoul in 2018-2022.
Before joining the FCDO in 2010, Ben studied Economics with Chinese Studies at the University of Nottingham in the UK. He has language qualifications in Mandarin Chinese and Korean.
Deputy Ambassador, UK Mission to ASEAN
The Deputy Ambassador’s role is that of an important advisor to the Ambassador to an international organisation, engaging with every country or organisation that belongs to or observes the body. They also represent the UK’s interests in the absence of the Ambassador.