Difference between revisions of "Andrew Whittaker"
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Latest revision as of 18:57, 16 June 2026
British diplomat, Cyber Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Andrew Whittaker is a British diplomat serving as Cyber Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), responsible for leading the UK’s international cyber policy, programmes and people to deliver the UK National Cyber Strategy.[1]
He took up the role in September 2024, having previously served as Head of the FCDO’s global consular network.[1]
Early life and education
Whittaker holds an MA (Hons) degree in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge (Magdalene College).[2]
Career
Whittaker joined the Foreign Office in 1998.[2]
His early diplomatic postings included roles in Madrid, Jerusalem and Basra.[1][2]
He served as Deputy Head of the Crisis Management Department in the Foreign Office, handling responses to incidents including conflict in the Middle East, the sinking of the Costa Concordia and hostage taking in Algeria.[2]
Whittaker was Deputy Director at CERT-UK, the UK’s national cyber security team, focusing on government-industry and international engagement on cyber security. In this capacity he contributed to setting up the UK’s first national CERT, which later became part of the National Cyber Security Centre.[2][1]
From 2016 to 2020 he served as British Consul General in San Francisco (Technology Envoy to the US), responsible for UK government objectives across the north-western United States.[1][2]
He was subsequently Head of the FCDO’s global consular network before his current appointment.[1]
As Cyber Director and UK Cyber Ambassador, Whittaker has co-chaired UK-EU Cyber Dialogues and participated in the Japan-UK Cyber Dialogue.[3][4]
Career timeline
| Period | Position | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 onwards | Various diplomatic postings | Foreign Office / FCDO |
| Pre-2016 | Deputy Head, Crisis Management Department | Foreign Office |
| Pre-2016 | Deputy Director | CERT-UK |
| 2016–2020 | British Consul General (Technology Envoy) | San Francisco, FCDO |
| 2020–2024 | Head of Global Consular Network | FCDO |
| September 2024–present | Cyber Director / Head of Cyber Policy Department, Hybrid Threat Directorate / UK Cyber Ambassador | FCDO |
See also
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- National Cyber Security Centre
- United Kingdom National Cyber Strategy
- Information Threats and Influence Directorate
External links
Official biography on GOV.UK @UKAWhittaker on X
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 UK Government, Andrew Whittaker GOV.UK, accessed June 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 British American Business Council, Welcome Reception for H.M. Consul General Andrew Whittaker BABCSF, 20 October 2016.
- ↑ European Commission, EU and UK hold Second Cyber Dialogue Digital Strategy, 9 December 2024.
- ↑ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, The 9th Japan-UK Cyber Dialogue MOFA, 27 February 2026.