New British ambassador to the Holy See appointed

Sally Axworthy has been appointed Britain’s Ambassador to the Holy See, taking over the role from Nigel Baker.

Axworthy, who joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1986, will take up the position in August.

During her career, she has headed up the FCO’s Great Lakes, East Africa and Somalia department and its Somalia unit.

Axworthy, who is married with four children, worked as the FCO’s head of financial skills and, most recently, was joint head of the North Africa department.

Baker, who has been in the post since September 2011, will be transferring to another role in the diplomatic service.