Dr Phil Budden

Dr Phil Budden arrived in Boston to become Britain's Consul General to New England in August 2007. He is here with his Boston-born wife - Deborah (nee Tripp) Budden - and their two daughters, living on historic Beacon Hill.

Prior to this assignment, Phil Budden was the First Secretary at the British Embassy in Washington DC, responsible for science, technology and innovation work, as well British-American business affairs and transatlantic relations. His diplomatic career has also included postings in London (both in the Foreign Office, and in the European Secretariat, which advises Prime Ministers on strategy), and also to the British Embassy in Vienna, Austria.

Before becoming a diplomat, Phil Budden received his D.Phil (doctorate) in contemporary history and international political economy from Oxford University (Lincoln College), an MA in American history and government from Cornell University (USA), and his BA/MA in British and European history from Oxford University. Born in Southampton, England (home of many famous sailings including the Mayflower, Arbella and D-Day), Phil married his wife Deborah on Cape Cod in 1992. They escape there whenever they can.

With his interest in history, government and technology, Phil's posting to Boston is clearly a good fit, given his previous experience, and his family links.