NEWS STORY : Sarah Hulton Appointed as UK Ambassador to the Philippines and Palau
STORY
The UK government has appointed seasoned diplomat Sarah Hulton OBE as His Majesty’s next Ambassador to the Philippines, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed today. She will also serve as non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Palau, taking over from Laure Beaufils in September 2025.
Hulton is no stranger to the region, having previously served at the British Embassy in Manila between 2005 and 2008, where she held the post of Second Secretary for Political and Public Affairs. She also undertook full-time Tagalog language training — a rare asset among UK diplomats — making her well-placed to navigate both the political landscape and cultural sensitivities of the post.
Her appointment comes after a series of high-profile roles, most recently as Interim Director of the Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate. She has also led the UK mission in Sri Lanka as High Commissioner from 2019 to 2023, and held key positions in departments focused on global security, conflict prevention, and human resources.
Hulton joined the Foreign Office in 2002 and has since developed a reputation for her expertise in diplomacy, geopolitics, and international security. Her previous postings include Zimbabwe, North Korea, and the Pacific. The change in diplomatic leadership is expected to reinforce the UK’s strategic partnership with the Philippines, amid growing cooperation on trade, regional security, and climate change resilience.
