British High Commissioner to Malaysia

Ajay Sharma CMG

Biography

Ajay Sharma was appointed British High Commissioner to Malaysia in April 2025.

This is Ajay鈥檚 fourth head of mission role. He was UK Charg茅 d鈥檃ffaires to Iran from 2013 to 2015, British Ambassador to Qatar from 2015 to 2020, and Charg茅 d鈥檃ffaires to Turkey from 2022 to 2023. Ajay has also served in Moscow and in Paris as the Deputy Ambassador to France.

Before his current role, Ajay was a Director International Affairs in the National Security Secretariat of the Cabinet Office and a Director in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

During his 30-year career as a diplomat, Ajay has been involved in several international negotiations, including as the UK Representative for a Cyprus Settlement 2021 to 2022 and as the Deputy Negotiator for the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA).

Born in London, Ajay is a graduate of Oxford University. He is fluent in French and Turkish and is learning Bahasa Melayu.

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Curriculum vitae

2025 to present British High Commissioner to Malaysia
2024 to 2025 FCDO, Director
2023 to 2024 Cabinet Office, National Security Secretariat, Director International
2022 to 2023 Ankara, Head of Mission and Charg茅 d鈥橝ffaires
2021 to 2022 FCDO, UK Cyprus Settlement Coordinator
2020 to 2021 FCDO, Deputy Political Director
2015 to 2020 Doha, Her Majesty鈥檚 Ambassador to Qatar
2012 to 2015 FCO Iran Coordinator, followed by non-resident, then resident Charg茅 d鈥檃ffaires to Iran
2008 to 2012 Paris, Deputy Ambassador to France
2007 to 2008 Tehran, Deputy Ambassador to Iran
2007 Language training (Farsi)
2005 to 2007 FCO, Deputy Head of Security Policy Department
2003 to 2005 Ankara, Head of Political Section
2002 to 2003 Moscow, Head of Economic Section
2001 to 2002 Language training (Russian)
2000 to 2001 Secondment to Her Majesty鈥檚 Treasury
1997 to 2000 Ankara, Second Secretary Political
1996 to 1997 Language training (Turkish)
1995 to 1996 FCO, Desk Officer Hungary and Slovakia, European Department

British High Commissioner to Malaysia

The High Commissioner is the UK government鈥檚 representative in a Commonwealth nation. They are responsible for the direction and work of the High Commission and its Deputy High Commissions and/or Consulates, including political work, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Previous roles in government

  • Charg茅 d'Affaires to Turkey
    • 2022 to 2023
  • British Ambassador to Qatar
    • 2015 to 2020
  • Charg茅 d鈥橝ffaires, Tehran
    • 2015 to 2015