British Ambassador to the Dominican Republic

Dr Carol Ann van der Walt

Biography

Carol joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1998. She has worked on a wide range of different areas, including international fisheries, IT training strategy, international business and Diversity & Inclusion. Her two main career interests have focussed on the European Union, and Latin America & the Caribbean.

On the EU, Carol has worked in the European Directorate in the FCDO in London, in the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels, and in the Department for Exiting the EU. She also worked on EU/Latin America/Caribbean relations in Brussels and was Deputy Head of the Latin America Department in London. 听

Carol has a first-class joint honours degree with distinction in Spanish and Latin from Birmingham University and a PhD in Medieval Spanish. She is married, with a son and a daughter, two cats and a dog.

Date Role
December 2024 听HMA British Embassy Santo Domingo听
2020 to 2024 FCDO, Deputy Head Latin America Department
2018 to 2020 DExEU, Head of Crown Dependencies and Overseas 听听听Territories Team
2017 to 2018 FCO, Head of Diversity and Inclusion Team, Human Resources Department
2013 to 2017 Oslo, Deputy Head of Mission
2011 to 2013 FCO, Head of EU Strategic Policy Team, European Union Department (Future of Europe)
2011 FCO, Head of EU Strategy Team, European Union Department (Internal)
2009 to 2011 FCO, Senior Political Analyst, Overseas Security Information for Business, Global Issues Department
2008 to 2009 FCO, Head of Training Strategy, Business Engagement Group, Information & Technology Department
2003 to 2008 Maternity Leave, Special Unpaid Leave
1998 to 2003 Brussels, Second Secretary, UK Permanent Representation to the EU
1998 to 1999 FCO, Fisheries Officer, Aviation and Maritime Department
1998 Joined FCO

British Ambassador to the Dominican Republic

The Ambassador represents His Majesty The King and the UK government in the country to which they are appointed. They are responsible for the direction and work of the Embassy and its Consulates, including political work, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Previous roles in government

  • Deputy Head of Mission, Norway