A FORMER Ringwood man who is the British Ambassador to Tajikistan has been recognised for his foreign policy work.

Hugh Philpott was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

He said: “It was a great surprise and honour to be asked to accept an OBE. I feel very proud and pleased that my work over the years has been recognised in this way.”

Mr Philpott grew up in Ringwood and the surrounding area and was schooled at Harbridge Primary School, Poulner School, Ringwood Comprehensive and Brokenhurst Sixth Form College.

He joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1980 and has served in Oslo, Budapest, Baghdad, Washington and Muscat. He has worked on a broad range of issues including international security, overseas territories and the Middle East.

Speaking of his foreign policy work, he said: “It is difficult to single out any one particular moment or topic. There have been so many. Both my wife, Janine, and I have been career diplomats for many years and served in numerous countries. Overseas my time in Washington working on nuclear, chemical and biological arms control and counter proliferation remains high on my list of contributing to a better world. Back in the UK I spent time leading the UK’s Science and Innovation Network which helped put the best of British researchers together with researchers overseas to make new discoveries and innovations in medicine, engineering, mathematics and many other fields. But perhaps best of all was to be appointed an ambassador by Her Majesty the Queen and to represent the UK overseas in all capacities.”

Mr Philpott was appointed Ambassador of Tajikistan in 2014. Tajikistan is to the north of Afghanistan and on the western border of China.

He said: “In Tajikistan I am particularly proud of the work the British Government does to stimulate economic development, create new markets for UK export, support youth development and protect British interests, particularly the steadily growing number of intrepid tourists to this beautiful and unusual country.”