Mr Stephen Lillie CMG is the British Ambassador-designate to Greece. A highly experienced career diplomat, he has held a series of senior diplomatic and policy appointments, including Director for Defence and International Security, Director for Asia-Pacific, Ambassador to the Philippines and High Commissioner to Cyprus. He has particular expertise in international security, strategic affairs and geopolitics, and has extensive experience of Eastern Mediterranean and European security issues through his leadership of the FCDO’s Defence and International Security Directorate and his diplomatic service in Cyprus. Alongside his security work, he has substantial experience in promoting economic partnerships in high-growth markets. His career has included senior leadership, policy and diplomatic roles focused on the Asia-Pacific region, including postings in China, India and the Philippines, where he worked closely with governments and businesses to strengthen commercial ties and advance UK economic interests. A linguist by training, Stephen studied German and French at Oxford University and also speaks Greek and Chinese. He was appointed CMG in 2017 for services to UK relations with Asia.