Ms. Katherine Ellen Smitton has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Tajikistan, in succession to Mr. Timothy Marschall Jones who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment, GOV.UK, the website for the United Kingdom government, on May 2.    

Ms. Smitton will take up her appointment during October this year. 

Prior to this appointment, Ms. Katherine Smitton served as Deputy Head of the UK Mission in Algiers (2020-2023).

2019 to 2020 -- Full Time Language Training (French) and FCO Covid crisis response; 2017 to 2019 -- FCO, Deputy Head of Operations and Programs, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Department; 2016 to 2017 – Deputy Head of Mission in Kathmandu, Nepal; 2015 to 2016 --        Masters (Distinction) in Russian and Post-Soviet Politics; 2013 to 2015 -- First Secretary (Counter Terrorism), Islamabad, Pakistan;  2011 to 2013 -- FCO, Head, Middle East Peace Process Team, Middle East and North Africa Directorate; 2007 to 2011 -- Brussels, United Kingdom Joint Delegation to NATO, Second Secretary (External Relations); 2005 to 2007 -- Health and Safety Executive, Policy and Delivery Manager.

Recall, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, arrived in Dushanbe on April 22, 2024 for the first official visit.  During a meeting with Cameron, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon remarked that Tajikistan considers the United Kingdom a significant partner in Western Europe.  The country pays considerable attention to the development and strengthening of multifaceted relations with the United Kingdom.