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Barbara WoodwardBritish diplomat
Date of Birth: 29.05.1961
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Diplomatic Career
- Ambassador to China
- Permanent Representative to the UN
- Personal Life
Early Life and Education
Barbara Woodward was born on May 29, 1961, in Gipping, Suffolk, England. Her father, Arthur Claude Woodward, was a decorated World War II veteran and a member of the Royal Institute of Chemistry. Barbara attended South Lee School in Bury St. Edmunds and St. Felix School in Southwold.
In 1979, Woodward matriculated at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she studied history and graduated in 1983 with an MA degree. After teaching English in China from 1986 to 1988, she pursued a postgraduate diploma in international relations at Yale University in the United States, earning an MPhil degree.
Diplomatic Career
In 1994, Woodward joined the Foreign Office. She served in various roles, including:
- Second and First Secretary at the British Embassy in Russia (1994-1998)
- Political Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in China (2003-2009)
- Director-General for Economic and Consular Affairs at the Foreign Office (2011-2015)
Ambassador to China
In February 2015, Woodward became the first female British Ambassador to China. During her tenure, she faced reports of mistreatment by Chinese officials during an event at Lancaster House in London.
Permanent Representative to the UN
In 2020, Woodward was appointed as the UK's Permanent Representative to the United Nations by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
Personal Life
Woodward is an avid sportswoman, particularly enjoying swimming and tennis. She is a member of the Otter Swimming Club in London and has previously served as its Honorary Secretary.
