Dame Karen Pierce DCMG

Chair of The Ditchley Foundation and UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans

Dame Karen Pierce DCMG is currently serving as the UK Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, a role previously held by Lord (Stuart) Peach. From 2020 to 2025 she was the British Ambassador to the United States of America and prior to that, from 2018, the UK’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, the first woman appointed in either role and only the second British Ambassador ever to hold both posts. As an SCS 4 (4-star equivalent) officer she is the most senior UK female diplomat in the organisation.

Prior to 2018, Karen was Chief Operating Officer then Political Director in the FCDO in London. From 2015 to 2016 she was the UK’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, and from 2012 to 2015, the UK's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and WTO and other International Organisations in Geneva, where she worked closely with the current Master of Trinity on Anti-Microbial Resistance.

Earlier in her career Karen’s work focused variously on Afghanistan, the Western Balkans, UN, politico-military affairs and Ukraine. She also held the post of Head of Newsroom in the then FCO Press Office in London.

Karen joined the then FCO in 1981, and her first posting was to Japan. She also served 30 years ago as a junior diplomat in the British Embassy in Washington.

She graduated from Girton College in 1981 with an MA in English and has a Masters degree from LSE in International Diplomacy and Strategy. She is an Honorary Fellow of Girton and just recently of the University of Lancashire.

Karen currently holds a number of pro bono positions: member of Ditchley Council, Board of the Atlantic Partnership, national Theatre Trustee and member of the N America Committee of Chatham House.

She is married to Charles Roxburgh who graduated from Trinity in 1981 (Sir Charles Roxburgh KCB who is the current Chair of Lloyd’s of London) and they have two sons.

Dame Karen was elected to the Council of Management of the Ditchley Foundation at the Annual General Meeting on 24 September 2025 and was appointed Chair on 1 January 2026.