Before joining the civil service, Tony worked in the private sector in higher education marketing. He studied Philosophy and Modern Languages at undergraduate, and International Relations and Diplomacy for his Masters.


1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?

In April 2025, to start my first overseas posting with the FCDO.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?

I spent a university semester in Buenos Aires, and have lived in Spain a couple of times – although much of my family are Spanish so I’m not sure that counts!

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?

How wonderful the children’s playparks are. My two daughters are delighted.

4. Friends are in Budapest for the weekend - what must they absolutely see and do? 

We are still exploring the city, but we are big fans of Normafa and my daughters love the children’s railway. Then a meal somewhere local on the Buda side, with a good Hungarian wine.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?

We are enjoying trying everything – so far a halaszlé in Keszthely, gulyásleves in Pest, and some homemade véres hurka in Pécs have been the highlights. At home my wife has perfected a csirke paprikás, which my daughters love.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?

Whenever anyone visits they are required to bring us Manchego cheese. I am also partial to a Túró Rudi... although not the new pistachio flavour.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?

Töpörtyű – fun to say, delicious to eat.

8. What do you miss most from home?

 Aside from friends and family, probably a pub garden in summer… or going to watch the West Ham (lose again).

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

I studied literature at university and still love reading novels but never have the time, so perhaps a book reviewer.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?

I worked as a barman many summers when I was younger, and learned what an underratedly hard job that is – so wouldn’t rush back to that.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?

We went back to the UK to watch Oasis play in Cardiff – then spent a long weekend on Lake Balaton. Hopefully our first of many.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?

In October we will go to Spain for our family holidays, but before then I hope we will get a chance to explore more of Hungary. I’m particularly keen to visit Lillafüred.

13. Apart from temptation what can't you resist?

Coffee.

14. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

Books, music and football were my life – my favourite album was (and maybe still is) Urban Hymns by The Verve.

15. Red or white?

Dry white.

16. Books or films?

Books without a shadow of a doubt.

17. Morning person or night person?

Since having kids, a morning person. I can only apologise to my twenty-year old self who would be incredulous at that answer.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

It’s a question I’ve never asked myself and perhaps should. I think access to education is incredibly important. It is something my mother’s generation didn’t necessarily have growing up in rural Spain under Franco, and it was incredibly important for her that I was able to go to secondary school and university. Education gives people a different type of freedom.

19. Buda or Pest?

Buda.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?

I don’t have a personal motto. My big hero is Bob Dylan, and he once said: ‘All I can do is be me, whoever that is.’ Which I think is a lovely aphorism. So I’ll go with that.