Sophie Westlake

Sophie is Deputy Director for the UK government’s international energy team – which spans FCDO and DESNZ departments. Sophie leads the government’s multilateral energy diplomacy, heading negotiations at the G7 and G20, as well as leading bilateral energy dialogues with close partners, including European countries. She previously led on sustainable energy and climate change policy for the Department of Education and has also worked at the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. Sophie’s background is in European energy policy, having spent 10 years in Brussels, including working as UK First Energy Secretary for the (formally) UK Permanent Representation, as well as two years in the European Commission, DG Energy. Sophie enjoys team sports and time with her family in Surrey. Sophie holds a BA degree from Oxford University (2005) and a Masters in policy analysis from Bath University (2007) and was awarded an MBE for services to the public in 2021.