National Security Adviser
Sir Tim Barrow GCMG LVO MBE
Biography
Sir Tim Barrow was appointed as the National Security Adviser in September 2022. Prior to this, Tim was the Second Permanent Under-Secretary and Political Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Tim joined the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in 1986 working in the Western European Department. His first overseas posting was in 1989 as part of the British Days Exhibition, followed by Second Secretary in Moscow. Sir Tim is also the UK Sherpa for the G7 and the G20
His previous roles were:
- Head of Russia Section
- Private Secretary to Minister of State
- First Secretary, UKREP Brussels
- Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary
- Head of Common Foreign and Security Department
- Assistant Director, EU External
- Deputy Political Director
- Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Kyiv
- Representative to the Political and Security Committee of the European Union and Ambassador to the Western - - European Union, UKREP Brussels
- Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Moscow
- Political Director
- UK Ambassador to the European Union, and before that the UK’s Permanent Representative to the EU in Brussels
National Security Adviser
The National Security Adviser is the principal official adviser to the Prime Minister and Cabinet on national security matters. The responsibilities include:
- Providing advice to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on national security. This includes strategy, policy, capability and civil contingencies.
- Acting as Secretary to the National Security Council.
- Leadership to and management of the national security teams in the Cabinet Office.
- Bringing together the wider national security community across Whitehall and our overseas network.
- Cultivating and maintaining a network of international stakeholders as well as contacts with relevant counterparts, businesses, industry and civil society groups.