UK Picks Security Expert Sir Thomas Drew to Strengthen Ties with France

New ambassador to boost defense and intelligence collaboration amid global tensions.

On April 14, 2025, the UK named Sir Thomas Drew, a seasoned security and intelligence expert, as its new ambassador to France, signaling a push to deepen defense ties at a critical time. With Europe facing its biggest security shakeup in decades—fueled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and shifting U.S. support for NATO—Drew’s appointment feels like a bold move to fortify alliances.

Drew, once the top defense and intelligence official at Britain’s Foreign Office, led the UK’s response to Russia’s aggression. Now, he’s set to drive a “coalition of the willing” from Paris, strengthening the UK-France partnership. As Europe’s only nuclear powers, the two nations share deep military ties and are tackling cyber threats together through initiatives like the Pall Mall Process, aimed at curbing commercial hacking tools.

“I’m honored to serve as ambassador to France, a vital ally in these challenging times,” Drew shared online, outlining his mission to boost security, trade, and border protection. He’ll start in August, bringing decades of experience, including roles in Moscow and Pakistan, where he tackled counterterrorism and regional conflicts.

With a UK-France Summit on the horizon, Drew’s role will be pivotal in tightening intelligence and defense cooperation. As Sir Richard Moore, MI6 chief, recently said, these alliances are the UK’s “secret strength.” Drew’s leadership promises to make that bond even stronger, safeguarding Europe’s future.