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

9th May 2013 Windhoek, Namibia

HMS Argyll helps boost UK Prosperity Agenda in Namibia

HMS Argyll, Walvis Bay harbour.
HMS Argyll, Walvis Bay harbour.

Royal British Navy Frigate HMS Argyll served as a fantastic platform to showcase the best of British commercial interests in Namibia this week in Walvis Bay. The 133m long vessel, complete with Lynx helicopter and 200-strong crew, spent 3 days berthed at the country’s  port.

HE Mrs Marianne Young, Commander Tim Neild and the hardworking group of volunteers
HE Mrs Marianne Young, Commander Tim Neild and the hardworking group of volunteers

I was delighted to join the Governor of Erongo Region, Deputy Mayor of Walvis and head of Rolls Royce Marine in Namibia at the Captain’s table for a special lunch to discuss ways of further cementing UK-Namibia links on Monday. Commander Tim Neild also hosted a terrific reception on board that night to promote our burgeoning business links with Namibia.

British firms present in the country – including Tullow Oil, Rolls Royce Marine, Weatherley Mining, Aggreko and Serica Oil & Gas – displayed company materials and banners to emphasise their strong commitment to the mining, oil and gas, marine services and energy sectors.

Commander Tim Neild, HE Mrs Marianne Young, Commander Ndiyaamena and the two navy teams enjoy a game of football
Commander Tim Neild, HE Mrs Marianne Young, Commander Ndiyaamena and the two navy teams enjoy a game of football

Commander Neild was able to explain to assembled guests more about the ship’s current mission to West Africa to help improve marine security capabilities down the coast. This year, HMS Argyll participated in Exercise Sahara Express, a land and sea-based international exercise involving participants from 14 nations to improve inter-operability among international partners.

Whilst in Walvis Bay, Commander Neild joined me to meet with the head of the Namibian Navy to further cement our already strong military links and share experiences.

Community project, with British Navy and children from the local community painting the SPCA in Walvis Bay.
Community project, with British Navy and children from the local community painting the SPCA in Walvis Bay.

The ship’s crew had also been put to good use the day before to help paint a local animal shelter with children from the town  – and valiantly fought through an unexpected sand storm to play football against the Namibian Navy. (Naturally, I attributed their 3-1 loss to the local adverse weather conditions.)

The visit was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate in a very tangible way that the UK is fully committed to support our partner nations in efforts to enhance maritime security, stability and prosperity. It was good to add some community outreach and sporting activities to the programme and give the crew a chance to savour some well deserved Namibian desert fun and fare.

I am very grateful to all officials, business and diplomatic representatives and executives who attended the august business promotion reception on Monday night – and would like to register a big thank you to the captain and crew for hosting such a beneficial event. We were all treated to a healthy dose of British pomp and circumstance as well as updates on all our Prosperity and trade work in country.

If you couldn’t make it to the coast – do enjoy the photos on our UKinNamibia Facebook special album and read more about our commercial and trade successes in my speech

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

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