PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Kenya – Matt Baugh [April 2026]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 April 2026.

Mr Matt Baugh OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya in succession to Mr Neil Wigan OBE, who has taken up another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Baugh will take up his appointment during April 2026. 

Curriculum vitae  

Full name:  John William Matthew Baugh   

YearRole
2026Pre-posting training (incl. Swahili language training) 
2024 to 2025FCDO, Director, Migration & Conflict  
2022 to 2024FCDO, Director, Euro-Atlantic Security   
2020 to 2022Brussels, Ambassador to EU Political & Security Committee later Director, Political & Security, UKMis EU 
2019Pre-posting training (incl. French language training) 
2016 to 2019 DExEU, Director, Strategy & Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State  
2013 to 2016 FCO, Deputy Director, Africa  
2010 to 2013Mogadishu, Her Majesty’s Ambassador 
2009UK Higher Command and Staff Course 
2008 to 2009DFID, Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State  
2006 to 2007DFID, Deputy Director, Iraq Department  
2004 to 2006DFID-FCO-MOD, Head, Joint Post-Conflict Reconstruction Unit 
2002 to 2004 Khartoum, DFID Country Representative 
2000 to 2002 DFID, Head of Global Emergencies  
2001 to 2002DFID, Head of Afghanistan Crisis unit  
1999 to 2001DFID, Head of Kosovo Crisis unit  
1998Joined DFID Fast Stream  
1997Joined MOD Fast Stream