David Cameron was appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on 13 November 2023.
David was previously Prime Minister from May 2010 until July 2016. David led a Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government from 2010 until 2015 and continued as Prime Minister from May 2015 leading a Conservative government. He was the Conservative MP for Witney in West Oxfordshire between 2001 and 2016.
David studied at Eton College before graduating from Oxford University with a first class degree in politics, philosophy and economics.
Before being elected as an MP, David worked for the Conservative Party Research Department. He then worked as a special adviser in government, first to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and then to the Home Secretary.
In Parliament he held a number of positions on the Opposition Front Bench, including:
He was also a member of the influential House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee from 2001 to 2003.
He was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Skills after the 2005 General Election and, on a mandate to change and modernise the Party, he was elected Leader of the Conservative Party in December 2005.
In 2010 the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats formed a coalition government. David became Prime Minister, making him the youngest Prime Minister in 198 years. He continued as Prime Minister from May 2015 until July 2016 leading a Conservative government.
David spent 7 years at Carlton Communications where he served on the management board.
David is married to Samantha. They have 3 children and live in London and West Oxfordshire. Sadly, their eldest child, Ivan, who suffered from cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, died in February 2009.
The Foreign Secretary has overall responsibility for the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, with a particular focus on:
We pursue our national interests and project the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners. FCDO is a ministerial department, supported by 12 agencies and public bodies.
FCO was a ministerial department from October 1968 to September 2020. It merged with the Department for International Development to create FCDO.