Helen Twist recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours

Helen has served with distinction in the UK Civil Service across a range of critical national and international policy areas. Her career to date has included key roles in the UK’s response to Russia’s use of a chemical weapon in Salisbury in 2018 and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. She undertook a posting in Brussels during the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and contributed to long-term national strategy within the Cabinet Office’s COVID-19 Task Force.

In addition, she has worked on the Government’s strategic engagement with business, from No.10 Downing Street. Most recently, Helen has served as Private Secretary to the Permanent Under - Secretaries, the Civil Service Heads of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), during which time she supported the Department through the 2024 general election.

Reflecting on the honour, Helen said:

“It is a privilege to have my work recognised in this way. My experience at the University of Cambridge has provided an important foundation for my Civil Service career. I would like to highlight the enduring effort and dedication of so many across the public service, working on the most pressing issues of our times, often in extremely challenging domestic and international contexts.”

Helen Twist OBE

Helen is due to take up the position of UK Deputy Head of Mission to Tel Aviv, Israel, in 2026.

The College extends its warmest congratulations to Helen on this richly deserved recognition and thanks her for her significant contribution to public service and diplomacy.