Varun Chandra, the prime minister’s influential business adviser and a central figure in recent UK-US trade deals, has been passed over for the role of UK ambassador to Washington, with Sir Keir Starmer instead opting for a career diplomat in a move seen in Whitehall as a cautious choice.
Chandra, widely regarded by officials and diplomats as the frontrunner, was interviewed by Starmer for the post last week. With close ties to Donald Trump’s administration and a reputation as an effective broker on trade and investment, he was seen as well placed to manage the increasingly complex transatlantic relationship. However, Starmer decided Chandra was “doing a very important job in the UK and in Downing Street, looking after business relations”, according to a person close to the prime minister.
Rather than heading to Washington, Chandra will take on an expanded role in London as chief business, investment and trade adviser, alongside a new remit as envoy on US trade, allowing him to continue leading negotiations and maintain his strong links with the White House. A person close to Chandra said he was not disappointed by the decision and denied claims he had been ruled out following a Whitehall vetting process.
The decision clears the way for Christian Turner, a veteran diplomat, to become the next ambassador to Washington, replacing Lord Peter Mandelson. Turner’s appointment has been characterised by officials as a “safe” option for Starmer following Mandelson’s dismissal in September, amid wider criticism of failed political appointments.
Sir Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s permanent secretary, had pressed Sir Keir Starmer to succeed Lord Peter Mandelson with an experienced career diplomat rather than make another political appointment.
Christian Turner matched that brief, having spent almost three decades in senior roles across the diplomatic service, Whitehall and Number 10. Announcing the decision on Thursday, Starmer praised Turner’s “extensive experience as an outstanding diplomat”.
Turner had been named UK ambassador to the United Nations in New York in May, although he was yet to take up the role. His previous posts include serving as political director at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and as high commissioner to Pakistan from 2019 to 2023.
Commenting on his appointment, Turner said, “At a pivotal moment for the transatlantic relationship, I look forward to working with President Trump’s administration, and with leaders across Congress, business and civil society, to strengthen that bond in the years ahead.”
One senior Whitehall official said Chandra’s candidacy had initially been dominant but ran into resistance from within the system. “Varun was the frontrunner, but there were forces that wanted to change that,” the official said, pointing to pressure to select a serving diplomat from within the Foreign Office.
