Iona Thomas

Her Excellency
Iona Thomas
OBE
Thomas in 2021
British High Commissioner to New Zealand
In office
3 August 2022 – April 2026
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
Preceded byLaura Clarke
Succeeded byLouise Cantillon
Governor of Pitcairn
In office
8 August 2022 – April 2026
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
Prime Minister
Preceded byLaura Clarke
Succeeded byLouise Cantillon
Personal details
EducationOxford University
London School of Economics
Occupation
  • Diplomat
  • government official

Iona Thomas is a British diplomat and ministry official who has served as Director Multilateral and Human Rights at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office since 2026. She previously served as the British High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor of Pitcairn from 2022 to 2026.

Thomas did a bachelor’s in literae humaniores at Oxford University and a master's in economics at the London School of Economics.

In August 2022, Thomas took up the position of British High Commissioner to New Zealand, succeeding Laura Clarke. She was Political Counsellor at the British High Commission in Pakistan and has served in diplomatic posts in Tripoli and at the United Nations in New York. Before joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, she held posts in the civil service.

In June 2018, Thomas was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to British foreign policy.

Thomas resigned as British High Commissioner to New Zealand in April 2026 in order to assume her position of leadership at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

References

  1. 1 2 "Change of British High Commissioner to New Zealand: Louise Cantillon". gov.uk. Government of the United Kingdom. 26 August 2026. Archived from the original on 26 August 2026. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Iona Thomas OBE – Archived via the Wayback Machine on 14 February 2026". gov.uk. Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 14 February 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Iona Thomas OBE". gov.uk. Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 19 July 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Annual Report and Accounts 2025–26 (PDF) (Report). Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. 16 July 2026. p. 23. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "New UK High Commissioner To New Zealand Takes Office". Community Scoop. 3 August 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  6. ↑ "Iona THOMAS | Order of the British Empire | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  7. ↑ "British High Commissioner to New Zealand Appointed Director of Multilateral Affairs at the UK Foreign Office". Scoop. British High Commission. Archived from the original on 19 July 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  8. ↑ Thomas, Iona (7 April 2026). "After nearly four years in New Zealand, it's time for me to say farewell as British High Commissioner - and share what comes next […]". LinkedIn. Archived from the original on 19 July 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.