Stephen Hitchen

Stephen Hitchen
Hitchen in 2025
British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Incumbent
Assumed office
August 2025
MonarchCharles III
Prime MinisterKeir Starmer
Preceded byNeil Crompton
British Ambassador to Iraq
In office
July 2023 – February 2025
MonarchCharles III
Prime Minister
Preceded byMark Bryson-Richardson
Succeeded byIrfan Siddiq
Personal details
BornStephen Charles Hitchen
1969 (age 56–57)
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Durham University

Stephen Charles Hitchen (born 1969) is a British diplomat who served as Ambassador to Iraq between July 2023 and February 2025. A specialist in the politics of the Middle East, he was appointed Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in August 2025.

Early life

Hitchen was born in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.[1] His father was a lawyer and Methodist lay preacher.[2] He was educated at Ashville College, Harrogate and Durham University where he studied history.[2][3] Shortly after graduating, he walked the route of the medieval pilgrim trail from York to Jerusalem with his future wife.[4] He completed an MA at Leeds University and a PhD on the fall of the Ottoman Empire.[5][6]

Career

Hitchen joined the Ministry of Defence in 1996 and completed full time language training in Arabic from 1999-2001.[1] He transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2004.[1]

In the Foreign Office, he has worked exclusively on the Middle East and Iran, including postings in Egypt, Kuwait and Jordan. He has held various jobs in London including Director, Middle East and Director, Counter-Terrorism.[1]

In 2023, he was appointed British Ambassador to Iraq.[1]  His tenure in Iraq was notable for its high media profile. He appeared on The Bashir Show and developed his own television programme in which he interviewed prominent Iraqis, including former President Barham Salih, singer Ilham Al-Madfa’i, and Father Yusuf, a monk at the monastery of Mar Mata’i in Nineveh.[7][8][9]

His appearance on the Bestoon Show caused controversy when he criticised the role of Iranian-backed militias in Iraqi society.[10]

His appointment as British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia was announced in May 2025.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Change of His Majesty's Ambassador to Iraq: Stephen Hitchen". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  2. ^ a b "Harrogate man appointed UK ambassador to Iraq". thestrayferret.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  3. ^ "It was such a pleasure to welcome alumnus H.E. | Karen O'Brien". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  4. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  5. ^ Leeds, University of. "Who studied here?". www.leeds.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
  6. ^ "Stephen Hitchen". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
  7. ^ Albasheer Show - البشير شو (2024-01-12). اللقاء الكامل مع السفير البريطاني في العراق ستيفن هيتشن | البشير شو اكس 3. Retrieved 2025-08-15 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ Alsafeer Show (2024-04-19). السفير شو | الهام المدفعي | الحلقة الخامسة. Retrieved 2025-08-16 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Alsafeer Show (2024-09-20). السفير شو | الراهب يوسف في دير مار متي | الحلقة السابعة. Retrieved 2025-08-16 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ The New Arab Staff. "British ambassador in Baghdad says 'faced threats from militias'". The New Arab. Archived from the original on 2024-09-18. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
  11. ^ "Change of His Majesty's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Stephen Hitchen". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2025-08-16.

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