NEWS STORY : Stephen Hitchen Appointed as UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
STORY
The UK Government has announced the appointment of Stephen Charles Hitchen as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mr. Hitchen will assume his new role in August 2025, succeeding Neil Crompton, who has served in the position since February 2020.
Mr. Hitchen brings extensive diplomatic experience to the role, having most recently served as the UK Ambassador to Iraq from 2023 to 2025. His career with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) includes key positions such as Director of the Counter Terrorism Department (2019–2023) and Director for Middle East and North Africa (National Security) (2016–2019). He has also held postings in Amman, Kuwait, Cairo, and Baghdad, and has undergone full-time Arabic language training .
Mr. Crompton’s tenure as ambassador began in February 2020, following his role as Director of the Middle East and North Africa Directorate from 2015 to 2019. He joined the FCDO in 1995 and has held various positions focusing on Middle Eastern affairs .
