Melinda Simmons — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG) in 2023 for services to British foreign policy
Serves as British Ambassador to Poland since August 2025
Previously served as British Ambassador to Ukraine from 2019 to 2023
Held various positions at the Department for International Development (DfID) from 1998 to 2008, including Head of the Africa Team and Head of the Southern Africa office
Served at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) from 2013 to 2018, including Deputy Director of the Conflict Department and National Security Secretariat Director
Holds an MA in European Politics from the University of North London (1995) and a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages from the University of Exeter (1988)

Biography

Dame Melinda Veronica Simmons is a British diplomat who has served as the British Ambassador to Poland since August 2025. Prior to this, she was the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ukraine from 2019 to 2023. Born in 1966 in the East End of London to Jewish parents of Polish, Lithuanian, and Ukrainian heritage, she was educated at the City of London School for Girls.