Meet the Ambassador: Sudan and South Sudan

David Ashley is the British Ambassador to South Sudan. He took up his appointment in January 2025. Prior to taking up his current role, David was the British Ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros. He had previously served as Deputy High Commissioner in Bangladesh, and has also had postings in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Serbia, as well as working to secure UK ratification of the International Criminal Court, and as Deputy Head of FCDO’s Near East Department in London.

Richard Crowder started the role as Head of British Office Sudan and UK Special Representative to Sudan in September 2024. Before this, Richard was Deputy Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) from 2020 to 2022 and UK Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan from 2017 to 2020. Richard has worked in the FCDO for over 20 years, with postings in Moscow and Brussels. He was also Head of the EU Referendum Unit in the FCO.