IHG DIPLOMAT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2025

Photographs by David Bean, Surrey Video. https://surreyvideo.co.uk/

Ambassadors and High Commissioners from over 75 countries (and diplomats from over 90 countries) attended the DIPLOMAT magazine 2025 annual Awards Ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Tuesday 22 April. DIPLOMAT presented 10 awards to some of the most influential diplomats based in the UK. The 180-plus guests were treated to a reception and canapés prepared by the London Hilton on Park Lane’s chefs.

In its fifteenth year, the awards ceremony recognises the outstanding work and achievements of London’s diplomatic community who are trying to better their nations’ well-being. DIPLOMAT magazine identified 10 categories that recognise different levels of diplomacy, and winners were nominated by their peers.  The evening welcomed the massed ranks of London’s diplomatic corps, at what has become a key date in the capital’s diplomatic calendar. BBC News Diplomatic Correspondent, James Landale, was the Master of Ceremonies, who performed with immense slickness and wit.

High profile winners on the night included Brazil’s former foreign minister His Excellency Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Ambassador of Germany His Excellency Miguel Berger, Indian High Commissioner His Excellency Vikram K. Doraiswami, Canada’s High Commissioner His Excellency The Hon Ralph Goodale, South African High Commissioner His Excellency Jeremiah N. Mamabolo and the soon-to-depart Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HE HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud. Smaller countries were represented too, as the Ambassador of North Macedonia Katerina Stavreska also received an award. The award for Young Diplomat of the Year went to the First Secretary at the Bangladesh High Commission Sonia Munni, and Outstanding Contribution to Climate Diplomacy to Ambassador of Azerbaijan His Excellency Mr Elin Suleymanov.

The popular award of the evening, Outstanding Contribution to Diplomacy in London went to Director of Protocol and Vice Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps at the FCDO Ms Victoria Busby OBE. Victoria commented to the assembled guests: “At its heart, diplomacy in London isn’t about titles or treaties—it’s about people. It’s about listening before speaking, understanding before reacting.  It’s about places and moments.  And it’s about how we connect with each other.  It is, above all, about people. And looking around I’m struck by what an extraordinary group of people you are. I’m really humbled to accept this award.”

Sponsors for the evening were International Hospitals Group, VFS Global, Cigna Health Insurance, Cleveland Clinic London, Farrer & Co., Knight Frank and the London Hilton on Park Lane. International Diplomatic Supplies provided the champagne and wine, and Royal warrant holders’ Cleave & Co. produced the unique awards for the winners.

With over 180 diplomatic missions, a posting in London remains one of the highlights of any diplomat’s career. DIPLOMAT’s Editor, Venetia de Blocq van Kuffeler, said: “As the global centre for diplomacy, London has become more important than ever. This is an award ceremony for diplomats, with winners chosen by diplomats. This evening is about hard work and technique. It’s about people and professionalism.”

2025 DIPLOMAT
OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS:

2025 Diplomat of the Year from Africa
High Commissioner of South Africa
His Excellency Mr Jeremiah N. Mamabolo

 2025 Diplomat of the Year from Europe
Ambassador of Germany
His Excellency Mr Miguel Berger

 2025 Diplomat of the Year from Asia & Oceania
High Commissioner of India
His Excellency Mr Vikram K. Doraiswami

 2025 Diplomat of the Year from the Middle East & North Africa
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
HE HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud

 2025 Diplomat of the Year from Eurasia & the Western Balkans
Ambassador of North Macedonia
Her Excellency Ms Katerina Stavreska

 2025 Diplomat of the Year from North America & the Caribbean
High Commissioner of Canada
His Excellency The Hon Ralph Goodale

 2025 Diplomat of the Year from Central & South America
Ambassador of Brazil
His Excellency Mr Antonio de Aguiar Patriota

 2025 Outstanding Contribution to Climate Diplomacy
Ambassador of Azerbaijan
His Excellency Mr Elin Suleymanov

 2025 Young Diplomat of the Year
First Secretary, Bangladesh High Commission
Ms Sonia Munni

 2025 Outstanding Contribution to Diplomacy in London
Director of Protocol & Vice Marshal
of the Diplomatic Corps at the FCDO
Ms Victoria Busby OBE

ABOUT THE SPONSORS:

International Hospitals Group
Founded in 1972, IHG has successfully completed over 480 healthcare projects in 55 countries for private and public sector clients including 24 national governments, the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. It is one of the leading healthcare services companies in the world.

VFS Global
VFS Global is the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions. VFS Global is the trusted partner of 68 client governments, operating a global network with more than 3,500 Application Centres in 158 countries. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical assessment task.

Cigna Health Insurance
Cigna Healthcare is a world-leading provider of globally-compliant health plans for embassies, ministers, diplomats and cultural attachés. Cigna has been providing medical insurance for over 225 years and has a 60-year track record working exclusively with governments in four continents. 

Cleveland Clinic London
Located on Grosvenor Place, Cleveland Clinic is part of a global health system that consistently ranks among the top hospitals in the world. As part of one of the world’s most respected academic medical centres, Cleveland Clinic London offers access to a global network of physicians and specialists. It provides patients with high-quality, integrated care, enabled by technology.

Farrer & Co
Farrer & Co is a London law firm with an international outlook. Offering legal advice since 1701, Farrer & Co has a specialist practice focused on acting for states, missions and diplomats, led by Jehad Mustafa, barrister, partner and Head of Sovereign Advisory. In 2025, Farrer & Co are hosting a seminar series for the diplomatic community in London.

Knight Frank 
Knight Frank are the diplomatic community’s partners in property, housing diplomats in London and further afield, and their specialist global diplomatic consultancy works with foreign ministries and their property portfolios worldwide.

London Hilton on Park Lane
Debuting in 1963, the London Hilton on Park Lane was the first Hilton to open in the UK. From Hyde Park to Mayfair and Park Lane, the hotel’s guest rooms and suites offer iconic London views. Overlooking Hyde Park and close to Buckingham Palace, the newly renovated property has a host of dining options, and decades of experience serving London’s diplomatic community.

International Diplomatic Supplies
With over 25 years of experience with customers in 80 countries, IDS is the world’s only dedicated diplomatic supply company. IDS has been a Carbon Neutral group since January 2022.

Cleave & Co
Royal Warranted court jewellers Cleave & Company imagine, design and create some of the world’s most exceptional bespoke jewellery, Objet D’Art, pens, insignia, orders, decorations and medals by appointment. https://cleave.com/

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