Press release
Change of UK Chargé d’Affaires in Belarus: William Longhurst
Mr William Longhurst has been appointed Chargé d’Affaires at the British Embassy in Minsk in succession to Mr David Ward.
Mr William Longhurst has been appointed Chargé d’Affaires en titre to the Republic of Belarus in succession to Mr David Ward, who is transferring to another appointment in the Diplomatic Service. Mr Longhurst will take up his appointment during July 2026.
Curriculum Vitae
Full name: William Jesse Longhurst
| Year | Role |
|---|---|
| 2024 to 2026 | FCDO, Full time Language Training in Russian |
| 2019 to 2024 | British Embassy Berne, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul-General to Switzerland & Liechtenstein |
| 2019 | FCO, Full time Language Training in German |
| 2018 | FCO, Deputy Head, Global Britain Task Force |
| 2014 to 2018 | Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia |
| 2011 to 2013 | FCO, Deputy Head, ASEAN Department |
| 2007 to 2011 | British Embassy Belgrade, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul-General |
| 2006 to 2007 | FCO, Full time Language Training in Serbian |
| 2001 to 2006 | UK Mission to the United Nations in New York, First Secretary (Finance and Management Reform) |
| 1998 to 2001 | Department of Trade and Industry, Head of Exports to Japan Unit |
| 1995 to 1998 | British Embassy Tokyo, First Secretary (Commercial) |
| 1992 to 1995 | British Embassy Seoul, Third Secretary (Economic), later Second Secretary (Political and Information) |
| 1990 1991 | FCO Assistant Desk Officer, Economic Relations Department |
| 1990 | Joined Foreign & Commonwealth Office |
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Updates to this page
Published 16 June 2026