Andrew Whittaker is the Cyber Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. He is responsible for leading the UK’s international policy, programmes and people to deliver the UK National Cyber Strategy. Before taking up the role in September 2024, Andrew was Head of the FCDO’s global consular network, supporting British people around the world. Andrew was previously the British Consul General in San Francisco and has also done postings in Spain and the Middle East. In another British government role, he set up the UK’s first national CERT, which became part of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre.

Before this Andrew was Deputy Head of the Crisis Management Department in the Foreign Office, handling the UK response to incidents ranging from conflict in the Middle East, the sinking of the Costa Concordia, and hostage taking in Algeria.

Andrew’s Foreign Office career, which began in 1998, also includes postings in Madrid, Jerusalem and Basra. Andrew holds a MA (Hons) degree in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge (Magdalene College).