Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Laos – Melanie Barlow [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 May 2023.

Ms Melanie Barlow has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in succession to Mr John Pearson who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Barlow will take up her appointment during August 2023.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Melanie Barlow

Spouse: Mark Goodrich

Children: 2

Year Role
2022 to 2023 Kathmandu, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General
2019 to 2022 FCDO, Deputy Head, Consular Strategy and Network Department
2018 to 2019 FCO, Lead Trade Negotiator, Third Country Agreements Unit
2018 UK Government Illegal Wildlife Trade Joint Unit, Senior Manager, Private Sector Engagement
2015 to 2018 Seoul, Trade Policy and Economic Diplomacy Counsellor
2013 to 2015 FCO, Head, India and Nepal Team, South Asia Department
2013 FCO, Head, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives Team, South Asia Department
2011 to 2012 FCO, Team Leader and Programme Manager, Conflict Department
2009 to 2011 Tokyo, Second Secretary (Trade)
2006 to 2008 Tokyo, Second Secretary (Political)
2004 to 2005 Japanese language training
2003 FCO, Project Manager, Department for Strategy and Innovation
2003 FCO, Desk Officer, Iraq Political Team
2002 to 2003 Trade Partners UK, Special Projects Manager Japan and China
2002 Joined FCO
1996 Private sector