Stephen Hickey (diplomat)
Stephen Hickey | |
|---|---|
| British Ambassador to Italy | |
| Assumed office June 2026 | |
| Monarch | Charles III |
| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer Andy Burnham |
| Preceded by | Edward Llewellyn |
| British Ambassador to Iraq | |
| In office September 2019 – July 2021 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Boris Johnson |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Wilks |
| Succeeded by | Mark Bryson-Richardson |
Stephen Benedict Hickey CMG is a British diplomat who served as the ambassador to Iraq for 2019–2021.[1][2][3]
In June 2026, he took up the role as ambassador to Italy.[4]
Biography
Hickey is from Bromley,[5] his father is Edward (Eddie) Hickey of England, UK. He attended St Olave's Grammar School for secondary education.
He holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford.[6] He has worked as a diplomat in several Arab League countries including Egypt, Libya and Syria, in which he served as a deputy ambassador in the latter from 2010 to 2011, as he was evacuated during the Syrian civil war.[7]
In September 2019, he became the British ambassador to Iraq.[1] In July 2020, he received death threats from the Iraqi Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, due to his comments that Iraq was being held back by "armed groups operating outside state control".[8]
He was Director Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) until March 2026.[9]
Hickey was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2026 New Year Honours for services to British Foreign Policy.[10]
Personal life
He is married to Laura Madelaine Hickey and has three sons.[1] He can speak fluent Arabic.[11]
References
- 1 2 3 "Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to Iraq: Mr Stephen Hickey". GOV.UK. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ↑ "IBBC hosts Stephen Hickey, British Ambassador to Iraq". IBBC. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ↑ "Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq: Mark Bryson-Richardson". GOV.UK. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ↑ "Change of His Majesty's Ambassador to Italy: Stephen Hickey". GOV.UK. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
- ↑ "Breakfast Club – UK Ambassador to Iraq Stephen Hickey & Tom from UK Consulate". Babylon FM. 18 October 2020.
- ↑ "Stephen Hickey". LinkedIn.
- ↑ "Steven Hickey on witnessing the unfolding Syria crisis". rescue.org. 17 April 2018.
- ↑ "UK ambassador to Iraq victim of malicious online attack". The National News. 29 July 2020.
- ↑ "Stephen Hickey CMG". GOV.UK. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
- ↑ "No. 64940". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 2025. p. N4.
- ↑ "British Ambassador to Iraq: Stephen Hickey". GOV.UK.