Bhavna Sharma

Bhavna was born in the U.K. and is a Mancunian at heart, but has lived in London, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. After studying Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE) at Oxford University, Bhavna completed her master’s program in international development at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Bhavna has had a varied and interesting career focusing on issues of human rights, women's empowerment, and governance. After an initial start in the private sector, Bhavna pursued a career in international development working for U.N. Women in Quito, Ecuador, Anti-Slavery International – the U.K.'s oldest human rights organization – and the Overseas Development Institute – a U.K. think tank with clients including the World Bank, U.N. and U.K. government. Bhavna joined the Department for International Development (DFID) in 2010 and has been posted to Bangladesh, Jamaica, and Uganda leading a governance portfolio including security and justice, anti-corruption, and political governance programs. For the last year, Bhavna has been part of the team at the heart of the creation of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, merging development and diplomacy. Bhavna's next role will be as the U.K.'s Deputy Ambassador to Argentina.