Tom Tugendhat

Tom Tugendhat is Shadow Foreign Secretary and Member of Parliament for Tonbridge, recognised for his exceptional depth of expertise in defence, security, and international affairs. A former lieutenant colonel in the British Army with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, he served as military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff and later as Security Minister from 2022 to 2024. As former chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and co-founder of the China Research Group, he shaped critical debates on global security and geopolitical strategy. Tom equips audiences with strategic insight into foreign policy challenges, empowering leaders to navigate complex international landscapes with clarity and confidence.

After serving as Security Minister from 2022 to 2024, Tom Tugendhat returned to the backbenches before being appointed Shadow Foreign Secretary in August 2026, a role that positions him at the forefront of scrutinising the government's international relations and shaping the Conservative Party's foreign policy vision. His journey to this position began far from Westminster, with operational deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as a lieutenant colonel in the British Army, followed by work as military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff, where he advised on UK and US policy across the Middle East. This combination of frontline experience and strategic counsel has given him a rare perspective on the realities of conflict, diplomacy, and the complexities of global power.

Tom's influence on foreign policy debate extends well beyond his current shadow cabinet role. As chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, he led inquiries into some of the most pressing geopolitical challenges facing the UK, with particular attention to China's growing economic and political reach. His co-founding of the China Research Group sparked vital parliamentary and public discussion around the UK's strategic posture towards Beijing, work that earned him sanctions from the Chinese government and underscored his commitment to transparency and democratic accountability. His multilingual capabilities, including fluency in French, Arabic, and Dari, alongside his knowledge of Russian and Pashto, allow him to engage directly with international counterparts and understand nuanced regional dynamics. This linguistic dexterity complements his analytical rigour, evidenced in his co-authored book with Bill Raduchel, The New Technology State, which explores how emerging technologies are reshaping global governance and the balance of power.

Tom helps audiences understand the intersection of security, technology, and statecraft in an era of rapid geopolitical change. His presentations draw on lived military experience, parliamentary oversight, and ministerial responsibility to offer strategic clarity on foreign policy challenges that affect business, governance, and civil society. Whether addressing corporate leaders navigating international markets, public sector organisations managing security risks, or wider audiences seeking insight into global affairs, he equips them with the frameworks and foresight needed to anticipate shifts in the international landscape. His ability to distil complex policy debates into actionable understanding ensures that organisations leave better prepared to make informed decisions in an uncertain world.