Chief of Staff to David Cameron

Following David Cameron's victory in the Conservative leadership election in December 2005, Llewellyn was hired to be Cameron's personal chief of staff in his capacity as leader of the Opposition. Llewellyn continued in this role until 2010.

Negotiations over coalition

He served as part of the Conservative negotiating team, along with George Osborne, William Hague and Oliver Letwin, when they were negotiating a possible deal with the Liberal Democrats after the 2010 general election. Their negotiations were successful and they created the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition agreement leading to the formation of a coalition government.

Downing Street Chief of Staff

Cameron became Prime Minister and appointed Llewellyn to the post of Downing Street Chief of Staff. In July 2011, several newspapers reported that Llewellyn asked Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates not to speak to Cameron about the News International phone hacking scandal.^[10]

Following the Conservative Party's election victory at the 2015 general election, Llewellyn was sworn into the Privy Council on 14 May 2015.^[11]

House of Lords

In August 2016, he was nominated for a life peerage in David Cameron's Resignation Honours^[12] and was created Baron Llewellyn of Steep, of Steep in the County of Hampshire, on 20 October.^[13] He took his seat on 31 October, when he was introduced by Chris Patten and William Hague.^[14]

Ambassador to France

It was announced on 23 September 2016 that he would become British Ambassador to France,^[15] and it was reported that he will not sit in the House of Lords while serving as ambassador.^[16] He took up the post on 9 November 2016, being referred to as Edward Llewellyn.^[17] Llewellyn was succeeded as ambassador by Menna Rawlings in summer 2021, but it was announced he would transfer to another Diplomatic Service appointment.^[18]

Ambassador to Italy

On 18 January 2022 it was announced that Llewellyn would succeed Jill Morris as British Ambassador to Italy and Non-Resident Ambassador to San Marino.^[19] He presented his credentials to president Sergio Mattarella on 7 April 2022.