January 25, 2021 – Replacing the outgoing Andrew Dalgleish, Simon Thomas new ambassador to Croatia is an expert on security and counterterrorism
After five years in his position, the United Kindom's popular ambassador to Croatia, Andrew Dalgleish will move on to pastures new in July 2021. Britain has appointed Simon Thomas new ambassador to Croatia. He has a background in diplomacy and is an expert on security and counterterrorism.
Simon Thomas new ambassador to Croatia is a career diplomat but has held several positions outside of the diplomatic service. He joined the United Kingdom Diplomatic Service in 1997, after graduating with honours in Russian language and literature at the University of Birmingham. His first appointment saw him assigned to the Russia department of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before he took up the position of Second Secretary in the United Kingdom Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
Simon Thomas, the United Kingdom's new ambassador to Croatia © Simon Thomas
After over two years at this station, he spent time at the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York and the UK Representation to the European Union before being recalled to the UK to work in the field of counter-terrorism in the Cabinet Office.
After returning to the Russia department of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for over two years, this time in a more senior position, he went back to New York for a couple of years to take up the First Secretary position of the UK Mission to the United Nations.
From there, he was promoted to Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he remained for over three years. Following another UK-based appointment, he again took up the position of Deputy Head of Mission, this time at the British Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, where he spent over two years.
In the period since, Simon Thomas new ambassador to Croatia returned to education. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the Royal College of Defence Studies where he spent a year studying strategy, leadership and international affairs alongside senior military and civilians from more than 50 countries. He has also been learning Croatian. He also holds a master's degree in International Security and Strategy from King’s College, London. He was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE ) for merit in foreign policy in 2008.
The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Zagreb © UK in Croatia
Simon Thomas new ambassador to Croatia tweeted “Delighted to be appointed the next United Kingdom British ambassador to Croatia, succeeding Andrew Dalgleish in July. Very much looking forward to getting to know Hrvatska and her people, and to deepening the great friendship between our two countries.”
The outgoing ambassador echoed his sentiments: “Excellent news of the appointment my successor, who takes over when I leave beautiful Croatia this summer,” tweeted the popular Mr Dalgleish, who will obviously miss the country he has called home for the last half-decade.
“Simon, get ready for one of the best jobs you could wish for!” furthered Mr Dalgleish. “Until then, I've still got so much to see and do!”
Mr Dalgleish will be transferring to another appointment within the United Kingdom Diplomatic Service. We wish him the best of luck and warmly welcome Simon Thomas new ambassador to Croatia.
The outgoing United Kingdom ambassador to Croatia, the popular Mr Andrew Dalgleish, pictured with a colleague from the Spanish Embassy at Zagreb Pride in 2019 © Andrew Dalgleish
