New diplomats arrive in new era

Diplomats attend the Embassy Induction Seminar for an introduction to diplomatic life in London

This year a capacity crowd of 300 new diplomats and their spouses from 120 nations attended the Embassy Induction Seminar. With many envoys arriving just as the Labour Party swept to power, the Seminar was an ideal opportunity for new diplomats to hear from senior officials across Whitehall about the policies of the new government.

Welcoming the newcomers was the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Ambassador of Honduras HE Mr Ivan Romero-Martinez, who has served in the UK for the past 16 years. “A posting to London is a privilege – embrace all the opportunities on offer,” he said, encouraging diplomats not to miss out on the unique experiences that a London posting offers, especially attending Royal and State occasions.

Diplomats were also welcomed by David Hunt, the newly-appointed Deputy Director (Policy) at the FCDO’s Protocol Directorate, who also serves as the Assistant Marshal. He gave envoys an introduction to the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, who is the liaison between the diplomatic corps and The King, as well as an overview of the Protocol Directorate’s vision, mission and values and how it serves the diplomatic community in the United Kingdom, numbering some 22,500.

Attendees then received introductions to key diplomatic and defence attaché associations, covering portfolios such as agriculture, consular, culture, defence, economics, education, law enforcement, media, politics, protocol and science, as well as diplomatic networks including Women in Diplomacy, Young Diplomats and Diplomats for Equality, the network for London’s LGBTQ diplomatic community.

Multilateral affairs
Those covering the multilateral portfolio had a separate briefing about multilateral diplomacy in the UK, where they found out about the grouping of UK-Based International Organisations (UKBIO), as well as detailed introductions to four of the major international organisations with headquarters in the UK, including the Commonwealth, International Coffee Organization, International Grains Council and the International Maritime Organization, which is the only UN agency to be headquartered in the UK. The session was chaired by the Head of International Organisations in the Protocol Directorate, Tom Franey.

Embassy Management
Embassy administrators attended a session with UK authorities offering guidance on UK regulations and managing their missions. They received a briefing from the Head of Diplomatic Missions in the Protocol Directorate, Annie McGee, on diplomatic privileges and immunities and how the UK government meets its obligations to the diplomatic corps under the Vienna Conventions.

PS Keith Rosenwould  introduced security officers to the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection, which is the unit in the Metropolitan Police tasked with the protection of diplomatic buildings in the UK.

Tanup Gadhia, who heads the Embassy Team at  UK Visas and Immigration, gave a talk to HR managers about immigration rules governing the diplomatic community, including sponsorship compliance when hiring staff for diplomatic missions.

Jonathan Fox of  HMRC gave finance attachés an overview of diplomatic tax reliefs, while Sander Stockbroekx (Diplomatic Card) advised them about reclaiming fuel tax and Julian Griffiths of the DVLA gave an overview of diplomatic driving permits and procedures to register and de-register a diplomatic vehicle.

The morning session concluded with an important personal safety briefing for diplomats delivered by PC Caroline Coleman of Protective Security Operations of the Metropolitan Police. The briefing included guidance on staying safe in London and online, and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack or mass shooting.

Diplomatic Portfolio briefings

During the portfolio sessions in the afternoon, diplomats received introductory briefings on the policy of the new government. Those responsible for economics, energy and innovation at their missions, heard from the Department for Business and Trade, the Department for Science Innovation and Technology, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Corporation of the City of London. The focus was on UK trade policy, industrial strategy and the role of science, innovation and climate diplomacy aimed at delivering sustainable economic growth and making the UK a clean energy superpower.

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Those covering consular and home affairs, heard from the Home Office and its future borders policy, including eVisas and ETAs. A briefing from HM Prisons and Probation Service of the Ministry of Justice focused on the management of foreign prisoners in the UK. Consuls also heard from a Family Liaison Officer in the Metropolitan Police about how consular emergencies are handled and liaison with bereaved families, while consular service provider Rowland Brothers International explained the role of coroners and repatriation procedures following the death of a foreign national.

For culture attachés, there were briefings from the Department for Culture Media and Sport and the British Council on the UK’s cultural diplomacy. In the same portfolio session, education attachés heard from the Department for Education on international partnerships in education; facilitating international student mobility to the UK with the British Council ; and the benefits of trans-national education from Universities UK International.

New press and public diplomacy officers received insights into the FCDO’s communications and social media strategy from senior officials in the media and digital team. The BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Landale explained the role of the BBC as a public broadcaster and how it engages with diplomatic missions. The Deputy Director of the Foreign Press Association Kate McCure introduced press attachés to the Foreign Press Association and tips on working with the foreign media in the UK.

Those covering politics and parliament received a foreign policy briefing from Tom Cargill of Wilton Park, an agency of the FCDO, who said it was an exciting time to be a diplomat in the UK because UK foreign policy was “opening up”.

The newly-elected Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Rt Hon Emily Thornberry MP, echoed this sentiment and encouraged diplomats to engage with the new intake of MPs. She gave new diplomats valuable insights into how the committee scrutinises the work of the FCDO in delivering the new government’s foreign policy agenda, which will focus on economic growth; security; rebuilding relations with Europe; restoring UK leadership on climate diplomacy; re-setting relations with the Global South, focusing on partnership in development; and recommitting to Britain’s “enduring international responsibilities” as a permanent member of the Security Council and international organisations including the Commonwealth. She concluded by saying: “Britain is back, and we want to be a force for good.”

Political officers also heard from one of the UK’s most senior parliamentarians, Lord Howell, who focused his talk on the fast-changing global situation and the UK’s new position within it, as well as the polarising impact of technology on political discourse.

On the subject of inter-parliamentary diplomacy, political attachés heard from Emma Makey who explained the role of the Inter-Parliamentary Relations Office (IPRO), as well the Speaker’s Office, All Party Parliamentary Groups, Select Committees and various parliamentary assemblies and inter-parliamentary groups, all of whom are involved in the UK parliament’s international engagement.

Spouse Programme
The parallel programme for diplomatic spouses, included a welcome from the Doyenne of the Diplomatic Corps, the wife of the Ambassador of Honduras Mrs Mirian Nasser Romero as well as an introduction to the Diplomatic Spouses Club of London. Spouses also heard from FIWAL, the Federation of International Women’s Associations in London and there was a male spouse meet-up hosted by Michael Eccleshall of the FCDO’s Diplomatic Service Families Association (DSFA).

The programme covered the practicalities of moving to a new post, such as a personal safety briefing from the Metropolitan Police, and a talk from UK Visas and Immigration about the rights of spouses and dependants to work and study in the UK and their responsibilities when employing staff.

Spouses were given ideas for exploring Britain and in the Diplomatic Neighbours session, they were able to meet fellow diplomatic spouses living in their local area to exchange tips and information about housing, schools, markets, recreation and interesting places to visit.

Networking
Throughout the day, diplomats and their families were able to visit the Living in London exhibition to meet diplomatic service providers and government agencies to help them settle in their new post. It was also an opportunity to meet diplomats from other missions and expand their networks.

After a full day of briefings and networking, the programme ended with a relaxed reception and prize draw.