This blog post was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Marianne Young

Marianne Young

High Commissioner, Windhoek

Part of UK in Namibia

17th May 2012 Windhoek, Namibia

Chargéing’ in Windhoek

Guest blog by new British High Commission Windhoek Deputy High Commissioner Simon Atkinson:

As a diplomat, there’s a (worrying) tinge of homeliness about airports. Not that I enjoy them much, more that they’ve become very familiar. As I perch on the latest bit of uncomfortable plastic (wishing the sense of homeliness would miraculously transform it into my sofa), I reflect on my first week as Chargé, covering for our High Commissioner to Namibia, Marianne Young. Marianne, by the way, brilliantly won the Foreign Office’s Excellence in People Award (so quite some shoes to fill!)

HE Mrs Marianne Young with her Excellence in People Award

I should say at this point that I’m usually based in Cape Town (I know, I know – very fortunate!), as Deputy Consul General. But I’m also officially accredited as Marianne’s deputy to Namibia – one of the Foreign Office’s innovative ways of supporting our global footprint (Windhoek is classed as a ‘very small post’ with only one UK diplomat). If you want my full title (which I love telling my parents): Deputy Consul General and Head of Political, Cape Town and Deputy High Commissioner to Namibia (I use very small font for my business cards). So this week, in Marianne’s absence, I’ve based myself with the team in Windhoek. As well as spending valuable time with colleagues, I’ve tried to get as much of a sense that a week allows of the economic, social and political situation in Namibia. I met with a number of politicians, diplomatic colleagues, media, and business people. I even got to celebrate Europe Day,

Simon Atkinson with cyclist Peter Gostelow

and had my picture taken for the papers with Peter Gostelow, who had cycled all the way from the UK, raising money for the fight against malaria (inspiring, though I’ll be less ambitious in my own cycling mileage).

I heard about a number of issues, from the challenges of high unemployment to talk of possible oil finds. Whatever way you look at it – a fascinating time for the country.   They’re calling my flight (finally –time really does seem to slow down at airports), so I’ll sign off both the blog (my first, by the way) and from Windhoek for now. To return to both shortly, with great pleasure. In the meantime, I’ll keep you posted about what we’re doing in Cape Town, from celebrating the Diamond Jubilee (firing canons!) and the countdown to the Olympics, to visits by the Foreign Affairs Committee and Lord Marland.   Simon Atkinson

About Marianne Young

Marianne Young is the current British High Commissioner to the Republic of Namibia. She arrived in Windhoek in June 2011 and presented her credentials to the President of the Republic of…

Marianne Young is the current British High Commissioner to the
Republic of Namibia. She arrived in Windhoek in June 2011 and presented
her credentials to the President of the Republic of Namibia on 3rd
August.
Mrs Young joined the FCO in 2001 following a career in international
journalism, including time spent running an Asian maritime press office
in Singapore and a traineeship on the UK’s Times newspaper.
Her first role in the FCO was as a Press Officer in News Department,
after which she went on to be Head of the Great Lakes Section in Africa
Directorate and then Head of the East Africa & Horn Section.
In 2005, she became the first Head of Communications for the Engaging with the Islamic World Group.
She moved to the British High Commission in Pretoria in February 2007
and served as the Head of the External Political Section and Deputy
High Commissioner to the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland.
Mrs Young moved across to the British High Commission in Windhoek in
June 2011, and presented her credentials to the President of the
Republic of Namibia on 3rd August 2011.
On her appointment as British High Commissioner to the Republic of Namibia, Mrs Young said:
“I am honoured and delighted to be appointed Her Majesty’s High
Commissioner to Namibia. I look forward to working to strengthen the
many commercial, political and cultural ties between our two countries,
and to help the many British nationals who holiday there. My family and I
are particularly thrilled to be remaining in southern Africa – and to
have the opportunity to explore this beautiful country further and
discover more about its people and culture.”
Curriculum vitae

Full name:
Marianne Young

Married to:
Barry Young

Children:
Two daughters and one son

 
June 2011
Windhoek, British High Commissioner

2007 – 2011
 
Pretoria, Head of External Political Section and DHC for the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland

2005 – 2006
FCO, Head of Communications, Engaging with the Islamic World Group

2004 – 2005
FCO, Head of East Africa & Horn Section, Africa Directorate

3/2003 – 8/2003
FCO, Head of Great Lakes Section, Africa Directorate

2002 – 2003
FCO, Press Officer, Press Office

2001 – 2002
FCO, Departmental Report Editor, Press Office

2001
Joined FCO

2000-2001
Senior Correspondent, Fairplay Group, UK

1995-2000
Staff Editor and then Asia Editor, Fairplay Group Singapore

1994-1995
Graduate Trainee at The Times newspaper, UK

Follow Marianne

Links