David McFarlane
Biography
David started as Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Madrid in August 2026.
Since joining the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1999, David has held a number of roles in London and overseas, focussing primarily on the Indo-Pacific and Europe.
Immediately before taking up his role in Madrid, David worked in the Cabinet Office, as International Director in the National Security Secretariat. His previous roles include Head of the Western Europe Department in the Foreign, Common and Development Office, Deputy Director for the Indo-Pacific and China at the National Security Secretariat, and Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary, working for David Miliband and William Hague.
Overseas, David has worked several times in Beijing, on separate postings as Minister Counsellor Political, Minister Counsellor Economic, and First Secretary Political; in Belgrade he served as Deputy Head of Mission; and in Brussels he worked for the European Commission as a National Expert covering China and Hong Kong.
David speaks fluent Spanish, Mandarin, Serbian and French.
Deputy Head of Mission, Spain
The Deputy Head of Mission is a senior diplomat and typically a key advisor to the Ambassador or High Commissioner. The Deputy is responsible for the daily management of an overseas Embassy or High Commission. They will represent the UK’s interests in the absence of the Ambassador as Chargé d’Affaires. A senior ranking Deputy may also take the title Minister. Smaller missions may not have a Deputy Head.