Lucy Cowan
Lewes
Summary
Senior leader with extensive experience setting strategy and delivering complex policy X-HMG. Expertise in conflict and fragile states, national security and development issues. Skilled in organisational transformation, inclusive leadership and building high-performing teams. Geographic expertise on South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Programme leadership experience.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Maternity Leave
FCDO
London
2026.01 - Current
Deputy Director, DG Defence and Security
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
London
2025.04 - 2026.01
- Undertook several high-priority projects for DG ahead of MATL.
- Delivered FS priority project: designed and delivered X-WH Ministerial table -top exercise for three major concurrent crises. Excellent Ministerial feedback.
- Acted as SRO on sensitive criminal case against former FCDO employee with multiple HMG equities, ensuring that risks of prosecution balanced against national security threats.
- Oversaw DG approach to FCDO 2030 transformation, including home pay bill allocation (DG budget protected from 29% reduction to 16%).
Lead on ExCo Study on Experience of Black Staff
FCDO
London
2024.10 - 2025.04
- As senior race champion, designed and led study on experience of Black staff in FCDO and reported to ExCo with recommendations. Promoted study findings and recommendations across FCDO.
- Study had significant impact on FCDO race awareness e.g. 14,000 views and over 20 Directorates seeking engagement on implementation.
Head of Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU)
FCDO
London
2022.08 - 2024.09
- Led export policy advice on complex issues and high-profile JR on weapons licensing to Israel during Gaza conflict, collaborating with MENAD, DBT, MOD, No 10, AGO to deliver well-evidenced and legally sound guidance while considering broader strategic implications.
- Supported Foreign Secretary’s security and prosperity agendas by ensuring licensing process protected national security while facilitating UK defence sales and promoting growth.
- Overhauled casework management system improving efficiency and reducing backlog from 400 licences to 100.
- Acted as a proactive, informed and committed member of DDIS’s SLT.
- Created inclusive team culture, increased motivation and tackled underlying drivers for (inherited) high BHD staff survey scores (20% to 7%).
Deputy Head Afghanistan and Pakistan Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
London
2021.01 - 2022.08
- Supported Head of Department to lead Department of 40 people, during NATO drawdown, deputising in her absence, providing advice and challenge to team, helping to mitigate risks and/or escalate risks at an early stage.
- Oversight of Department's policy on external issues ensuring is strategic, creative, aligned with Ministerial priorities, and Department produces high quality, timely work.
- Acted as Silver Political (SCS) during Afghanistan evacuation crisis, briefing Ministers and senior officials , assessing and escalating political risks and identifying solutions at rapid pace.
- Led on creation of new post-crisis Directorate, ensuring Directorate well-integrated, had clear structures and governance processes and a positive culture.
- Led on Directorate business planning and strategic workforce planning ensuring are strategic, in line with FS priorities and resource requirements, and agreed by all HMG stakeholders to deadline.
Political Counsellor, British Embassy Kabul
FCO
Kabul, Afghanistan
2018.06 - 2020.05
- Provided strategic direction and leadership to Political Section (30 people), including by ensuring UK Afghanistan strategy review took full account of long-term opportunities and risks.
- Led team and used network to drive forward UK objectives on i) peace, ii) elections (Parliamentary (2018) and Presidential (2019)).
- Led crisis management preparations for election-based violence.
- Oversaw zero-based review and restructured team, achieving 25% staff reduction while maintaining delivery of priorities.
- Managed restructure and implementation of CSSF programme portfolio worth £80 million, aligning funding with needs and ensuring interventions supported policy objectives.
- Served as SRO for peace programme, overseeing £4 million allocation to ensure effective programme delivery.
Deputy Head Sudan and South Sudan Unit
FCO and Department of International Development (DFID) (Joint Unit)
London
2016.08 - 2018.06
- Led Unit and oversaw major cross-HMG policy review, negotiating between departments to ensure agreed position.
- Designed and implemented engagement strategy to facilitate first deployment of UK troops to UN peacekeeping mission to South Sudan.
- Managed significant Ministerial interest across WH, in the context of dire humanitarian situation and rapid deteriorating conflict.
- Ensured Unit was sufficiently staffed by generating creative solutions to increase staff by 50% at no additional cost.
- Led on return of staff to British Embassy Juba following crisis drawdown to ensure safe return of staff.
Team Leader G7 and G20 Private Secretary to Secretary of State for International Development
DFID
London
2013.12 - 2016.08
- As interim PS, managed key relationships between No. 10, Ministers, senior officials and the Secretary of State focusing on Africa, and ensuring wider UK Government strategic interests taken on board.
- Represented and negotiated on behalf of the UK at G7 senior officials meetings.
- Identified and delivered UK international development priorities through G7/ G20.
British Embassy Abu Dhabi, Head of Political Section
FCO
Abu Dhabi, UAE
2012.01 - 2013.11
- Led team in delivering political analysis and advice on key issues to UK, ensuring Ministers and senior officials understood political context, opportunities, and risks. Acted as embassy lead for inward State Visit by UAE President.
- Deployed as part of the crisis team to Israel during the November 2012 Gaza crisis and to Cairo during the political turmoil following the fall of President Morsi in August 2013.
- Directed Abu Dhabi Communications Team, coordinating coverage for PM and Ministerial visits.
UNGA Desk Officer, UKMIS New York
FCO
New York, USA
2011.09 - 2011.12
Desk Officer Croatia and EU Enlargement
FCO
London
2009.09 - 2011.09
Cabinet for Commissioner Kuneva
European Commission
Brussels, Belgium
2009.03 - 2009.08
Fast Stream
HM Treasury
London
2007.09 - 2009.03
Education
BA Hons - Spanish and History
Edinburgh University
Edinburgh 2002.09 - 2006.06
Languages
Spanish
Fluent
French
Advanced
Timeline
Maternity Leave
FCDO
2026.01 - Current
Deputy Director, DG Defence and Security
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
2025.04 - 2026.01
Lead on ExCo Study on Experience of Black Staff
FCDO
2024.10 - 2025.04
Head of Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU)
FCDO
2022.08 - 2024.09
Deputy Head Afghanistan and Pakistan Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
2021.01 - 2022.08
Political Counsellor, British Embassy Kabul
FCO
2018.06 - 2020.05
Deputy Head Sudan and South Sudan Unit
FCO and Department of International Development (DFID) (Joint Unit)
2016.08 - 2018.06
Team Leader G7 and G20 Private Secretary to Secretary of State for International Development
DFID
2013.12 - 2016.08
British Embassy Abu Dhabi, Head of Political Section
FCO
2012.01 - 2013.11
UNGA Desk Officer, UKMIS New York
FCO
2011.09 - 2011.12
Desk Officer Croatia and EU Enlargement
FCO
2009.09 - 2011.09
Cabinet for Commissioner Kuneva
European Commission
2009.03 - 2009.08
Fast Stream
HM Treasury
2007.09 - 2009.03
BA Hons - Spanish and History
Edinburgh University
2002.09 - 2006.06