UK Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Korea

Continuing Policy Fellow, Centre for Science and Policy

Rachel Fentem joined the Civil Service in 2008 and has spent much of her career at the centre of government. In October 2026, she was appointed the next UK Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (South Korea), a role she is expected to take up in March 2027.

Most recently, Rachel served as Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary.

Earlier in her career, she worked in the Prime Minister’s Office as Private Secretary to Sir Jeremy Heywood and Assistant Private Secretary to David Cameron, and at HM Treasury as Programme Manager for the Budget and Spending Review. She subsequently spent three years in Tokyo and three years in Berlin in senior diplomatic roles focused on economic and trade policy, including the implications of Brexit.

Rachel has a particular interest in history and policymaking. Her work in this area includes developing a website exploring the history of 10 Downing Street and organising a series of seminars and workshops examining episodes of economic crisis from a long-term historical perspective.

Before joining the Civil Service, Rachel completed a BA in Classics at the University of Cambridge, followed by an MA and PhD in Archaeology and Ancient History at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London.