Justin McKenzie Smith
Biography
Justin McKenzie Smith took up his appointment as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Hungary in October 2025.
From 2021 to 2024, Justin was Head of the Central Asia and Eastern Neighbourhood Department at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, following a secondment to the Scottish Government from 2020 to 2021. He previously served as British Ambassador to Georgia from 2016 to 2020 and as Deputy Head of Mission and Director for Trade and Investment at the British Embassy in Mexico City from 2011 to 2015.
From 2008 to 2011, Justin was Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. From 2004 to 2008, he served as First Secretary and Spokesperson at the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York and was a member of the UK’s Security Council team. He served as Second Secretary at the British Embassy in Moscow from 1996 to 1999.
In London, Justin has also worked on European Union, human rights and press issues. He joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1994 and is a graduate of the universities of Oxford and Edinburgh.
Social media links
British Ambassador to Hungary
The Ambassador represents His Majesty The King and the UK government in the country to which they are appointed. They are responsible for the direction and work of the Embassy and its Consulates, including political work, trade and investment, press and cultural relations and consular services.
Previous roles in government
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British Ambassador to Georgia
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Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Mexico City