PRESS RELEASE : Change of UK Chargé d’Affaires in Belarus – William Longhurst

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

Mr William Longhurst has been appointed Chargé d’Affaires at the British Embassy in Minsk in succession to Mr David Ward.

Mr Longhurst will take up his appointment during July 2026.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: William Jesse Longhurst

YearRole
2024 to 2026FCDO, Full time Language Training in Russian
2019 to 2024British Embassy Berne, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul-General to Switzerland & Liechtenstein
2019FCO, Full time Language Training in German
2018FCO, Deputy Head, Global Britain Task Force
2014 to 2018Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
2011 to 2013FCO, Deputy Head, ASEAN Department
2007 to 2011British Embassy Belgrade, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul-General
2006 to 2007FCO, Full time Language Training in Serbian
2001 to 2006UK Mission to the United Nations in New York, First Secretary (Finance and Management Reform)
1998 to 2001Department of Trade and Industry, Head of Exports to Japan Unit
1995 to 1998British Embassy Tokyo, First Secretary (Commercial)
1992 to 1995British Embassy Seoul, Third Secretary (Economic), later Second Secretary (Political and Information)
1990 1991FCO Assistant Desk Officer, Economic Relations Department
1990Joined Foreign & Commonwealth Office