25th April 2024
Reflect & Remember: Anzac Day 2024
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
23rd April 2024
Good English – A Key to Panama’s Future Success
21st March 2024
Forests in focus on International Day of Forests
2nd March 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
New ways for teenagers to save energy
Click on the front door and you can enter the house. Indoors, links lead to practical tips for how people can save energy and, in doing so, save money. Welcome to the digital eco-house, a project backed by the British Embassy in Kyiv, the singer Alyosha, financially supported by SCM Capital Management and TNK-BP, and […]
2nd March 2012 Warsaw, Poland
Visit Britain in 2012 – You’re really welcome!
Wow! I recently had the opportunity to take part in a huge press briefing in Warsaw to launch Visit Britain 2012 in Poland. As a Brit who has spent no more than 100 days in the UK in the last 10 years I have to say I was mega impressed and filled with an immense […]
Read more on Visit Britain in 2012 – You’re really welcome! | Reply
1st March 2012 Washington DC, USA
Economic diplomacy from St James’ to San Juan
Last week I took a very belated Christmas holiday to Puerto Rico. It was very lovely…even if it has meant that one particular friend and colleague has sung West Side Story’s “America” (which compares the perceived pros and cons of living in NYC to San Juan) every time we’ve bumped into each other since my return. But […]
Read more on Economic diplomacy from St James’ to San Juan | Reply
1st March 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
St David’s Day
St David, or Dewi, is the patron saint of Wales. The arrival of his feast day – 1 March – always gives a sense, at least in the United Kingdom, that Spring is now definitely on the way. But it is also a useful reminder to non-Welsh of the importance of Wales to the United […]
1st March 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
"Those little things…."
Observant drivers and pedestrians on Comoros Street outside the British Embassy (possibly a contradiction in terms) today will notice the Welsh flag fluttering in the breeze from our flagpole – the famous red dragon on a green and white background. And anyone who comes into contact with me will see that I am wearing a […]
29th February 2012 Washington DC, USA
The Innovation Generation
After just six weeks in this fascinating job, I can hardly believe how much I am learning. South Carolina and Florida in my first 10 days to get a flavour of the Republican presidential candidates race, some time in Washington finding my feet and rediscovering old friends, then three days in New York followed by, […]
29th February 2012 Washington DC, USA
Wounded Warriors Show Their Sporting Spirit
General George S. Patton once told his troops, “Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.” At the Marine Corps Trials at Camp Pendleton last weekend, some extraordinary Royal Marines—who have already faced their full share of challenges—competed and felt the exhilaration of victory. The Trials are an eight-sport competition for all wounded, […]
Read more on Wounded Warriors Show Their Sporting Spirit | Reply
29th February 2012 Athens, Greece
GREAT events in Greece
One of the areas I’m working on in the Embassy is the GREAT campaign which is designed to promote the UK abroad. Under the new brand the Embassy is able to join forces with the British Council and other local partners and showcase what UK has to offer. The campaign message is simple and our […]
29th February 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
EU/Ukraine: more important technical stuff
I blogged recently about what needed to happen before the Association Agreement and linked Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) could begin to work for Ukraine. At the end of that blog, I noted some suggestions that, if it wasn’t possible to sign and ratify the Association Agreement, it might be possible for some […]
Read more on EU/Ukraine: more important technical stuff | Reply
28th February 2012 Budapest, Hungary
Getting the ball rolling
I’ve been preparing for this job for several months, so it feels great to be here in Budapest at last: and to have been able to present my letters of credence to President Schmitt on just my third day. It was a formal occasion but we managed to talk a little business too – and […]