Helen Smith ACMA, CGMA

Biography

Helen Smith was appointed as Minister Counsellor Political in June 2023. Between July 2021 and June 2023 she was Deputy Head of Mission and Minister Counsellor Political.

Helen joined the Foreign Office in 2004 and has a wide range of diplomatic experience. Previous roles have included Deputy High Commissioner to New Zealand from 2015-2020, Deputy Head of the UK Somalia Unit, and Head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Operations Unit, advising the Chief Operating Officer on corporate strategy and leading a range of change and efficiency programmes. She has also been posted to the British Embassy in Warsaw as Head of Communications and Second Secretary Political from 2007 to 2010.

Helen has a degree in Oriental Studies (Japanese) from Trinity College, Cambridge. She qualified as a Chartered Global Management Accountant in 2014.