BUILDING EXCELLENT
GLOBAL DIPLOMATS
ABOUT DIPLOMATIC EXCELLENCE
Diplomatic excellence was an initiative started in 2013 at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London upon the founding of the UK's prestigious Diplomatic Academy. The aim was to make the British diplomatic service the best in the world.
We share that aim and we are committed to making the diplomats who join our programmes the best in the world.
Diplomats have never been more important
At a time when the world faces unprecedented challenge, there has never been a greater need for diplomats with the skills to navigate crises and search for common ground and agreement.
Diplomatic Excellence is helping build a new generation of global diplomats who are:
Strategic thinkers
Agile Leaders
Consensus Builders
Learning & Consultancy
We offer experiential learning programs to governments or other organisations that want to test their talented staff and help them grow while working under intense pressure in teams. No other diplomatic learning organisation is able to provide this unique style of learning.
We also offer consultancy and advice to governments who want to set up or develop a diplomatic academy. We can provide bespoke high quality advice on developing organisational capabilities and learning strategy. Because we are learning experts too and our insights are cutting edge, having been at the forefront of developing the UK Diplomatic Academy since 2013.
Supporting Students
We are on a mission to increase the number of British diplomats from a state school background and from under-represented groups in society. The non-profit part of our company delivers a range of support in UK universities. We want to give students the skills and confidence to apply for the yearly Fast Stream or other recruitment competitions and to increase their chance of success significantly.
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Testimonials
Ian has provided invaluable insight, advice, and encouragement on my journey to entering the civil service. He has brought my skills and confidence on leaps and bounds
Maddie Richardson
Durham University
From his mock policy exercise and career consultations at my university to his detailed feedback on my civil service written applications, Ian has been amazing through my civil service application journey. His bespoke and nuanced recommendations, backed by experience, are invaluable and offer a point of difference to the more generic civil service advice available online or through university career services.
Cayden Gill
Durham University
Ian has gone out to his way to give advice on how to best prepare for a career within Diplomacy and the Foreign Office, as well as how to best succeed within the Civil Service Fast Stream. I am very grateful for all his advice and would highly recommend for any student to get involved with this program!
Darcie Peters
Durham University
Participating in Ian's diplomatic experience gave me a realistic insight into the day-to-day roles of a diplomat. It inspired me to further develop my skills in international relations to one day work in this arena.
Francesca Cross
University of Manchester
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Experiential
When diplomats arrive in a new country, they must be ready to operate without a textbook in hand. Diplomatic excellence is experiential, allowing participants to put theory into practice.
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High pressure
Diplomacy is a difficult business, and we believe that diplomats get the most out of learning and have more fun when working under pressure.
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Team based
An embassy can only perform at its best when everyone pulls together and learns together, particularly during the tough times. All our learning is delivered in small teams.
Our approach to learning
Diplomacy requires the highest standards of performance. We set high standards for ourselves in delivering the best learning drawing on extensive experience in diplomatic roles overseas. We want the diplomats who join our programmes to emerge ready for any challenge.. This is learning delivered by diplomats, for diplomats.