Lindy Cameron Named First Woman to Lead the UK Foreign Office

A first for King Charles Street

Lindy Cameron has been appointed the first female head of the UK Foreign Office, the government confirmed on September 10, 2026. She becomes the department’s permanent secretary after a period of leadership change that included the departure of predecessor Olly Robbins.

The Foreign Office is one of Whitehall’s senior posts, overseeing diplomats, overseas posts, and advice to ministers on foreign policy. Cameron takes the role as the department works through staffing and policy files left after the recent turmoil.

What the appointment covers

Officials described the job as the senior official responsible for the department’s day-to-day running, not a ministerial brief. Cameron will report to the foreign secretary and work with ambassadors on current files including security, trade, and consular services.

The announcement was carried across UK national desks on Thursday as the first time a woman has held the top civil-service job in that department.