Linda Joy Duffield (born 18 April 1953) is a British former diplomat who was chief executive of the

Westminster Foundation for Democracy The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) is a United Kingdom non-departmental public body set up to support democratic institutions overseas. It was established on 26 February 1992 and registered as a company limited by guarantee in the U ...

2009–14.

Career

Duffield was educated at St. Mary's Grammar School for Girls in

Northwood Hills Northwood is an affluent area in northwest London, England. It is located within the London Borough of Hillingdon on the border with Hertfordshire and from Charing Cross. Northwood was part of the ancient parish of Ruislip, Middlesex and has f ...

, now merged into

Haydon School Haydon School is a mixed secondary school and sixth form in the Northwood Hills area of the London Borough of Hillingdon, Greater London, for students aged 11 to 18. On 1 April 2011, Haydon School became an Academy. History The school was for ...

, and

Exeter University , mottoeng = "We Follow the Light" , established = 1838 - St Luke's College1855 - Exeter School of Art1863 - Exeter School of Science 1955 - University of Exeter (received royal charter) , type = Public , ...

where she graduated in 1975. She worked in the DHSS 1976–85, then studied at the École nationale d'administration in Paris 1985–86 and joined the

Foreign and Commonwealth Office The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is a Departments of the Government of the United Kingdom, department of the Government of the United Kingdom. Equivalent to other countries' Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ministries of fore ...

(FCO) in 1987. She was posted to Moscow 1989–92, and was deputy High Commissioner at

Ottawa Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...

1995–99. She was High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and concurrently High Commissioner to the Maldives, 1999–2002. She returned to the FCO as director of the Wider Europe department 2002–04, then served as ambassador to the Czech Republic 2004–09. She was appointed chief executive of the

(a body sponsored by the FCO) 2009–14. Duffield was appointed CMG in the

2002 New Year Honours New Years' Honours are announced on or around the date of the New Year in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The dates vary, both from year to year and from country to country. All are published in supplements to the London Ga ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Duffield, Linda 1953 births Living people People educated at Haydon School Alumni of the University of Exeter Civil servants in the Department of Health and Social Security École nationale d'administration alumni High Commissioners of the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka High Commissioners of the United Kingdom to the Maldives Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to the Czech Republic Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George British women ambassadors