Director of Protocol and Vice-Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps

Scott Furssedonn-Wood LVO

Biography

Mr. Scott Furssedonn-Wood LVO was appointed Director Protocol and Vice-Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in July 2025. Prior to this role Scott was Interim Director for Americas and Small Island Developing States from January 2025 to July 2025.

Scott was British High Commissioner to Barbados, and non-resident High Commissioner to Dominica, Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda, St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Lucia and St Christopher & Nevis from April 2021 to January 2025.

Prior to this, Mr Furssedonn-Wood was Deputy Private Secretary to HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

Mr Furssedonn-Wood is a career diplomat and was the British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata from 2013 to 2016. He was based in the US from 2008 until 2013 where he served at the British Embassy in Washington DC, first as Head of Strategic Threats then as Head of the Political Section.

Prior to Washington, he spent 2 years at the Foreign Office in London as Private Secretary to the Minister of State for the Middle East & South Asia, during which time he travelled to over 50 countries, including to India and its neighbours on many occasions.

Mr Furssedonn-Wood is a MA (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Merton College, Oxford University and has a MBA from Open University.

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Director of Protocol and Vice-Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps

The Director of Protocol works to the Foreign Secretary, through the Chief Operating Officer and the Permanent Under Secretary, and is responsible for advice on all matters of Protocol and for the work described above.

The Director is also appointed by His Majesty the King as Vice-Marshal and works in support of the Marshal in managing and promoting the relationship between the Royal Households and the members of the diplomatic corps.

The Director鈥檚 work includes:

  • the relationship with the foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations based in the UK
  • diplomatic and VIP security
  • the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office relationship with the Royal Households
  • logistics for major conferences and events
  • inward state and Guest of Government visits
  • Government Hospitality

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Previous roles in government

  • British High Commissioner to Barbados, and non-resident High Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines
    • 2021 to 2025
  • British Deputy High Commissioner Kolkata
    • 2013 to 2016