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Paul Madden

British Ambassador to Japan

Part of UK in Australia

3rd November 2014

ANZAC departure commemorations in Albany, WA

Prime Ministers Abbott and Key lay wreaths at ANZAC Peace Park

“From this place, on this day a century ago, thousands of Australian and New Zealand servicemen departed on what many considered a great adventure. For the first time our nations were to contribute on a large scale to major world events.”

Prime Ministers Abbott and Key lay wreaths at ANZAC Peace Park
Prime Ministers Abbott and Key lay wreaths at ANZAC Peace Park

So began the commemorative service in Albany, in the far south tip of Western Australia, on Saturday 1 November. It was here that in 1914, some 27,000 troops from the two countries set sail in a convoy of 40 ships, heading for the war in Europe, though in fact their first action was at Gallipoli. Given the tragedies they endured there, the weekend’s events were more a matter of reflection than celebration.

Up to 70,000 people poured into this pretty coastal town for the event, more than double its normal population. Among them were Prime Ministers Tony Abbot and John Key. In their remarks both referred to the impact that the ANZAC experience had had in forging the identity of the two young, newly independent nations, and the enduring friendship that persists between two close neighbours and allies.

Sen David Johnston, Defence Minister, with HE Paul Madden in Albany
Sen David Johnston, Defence Minister, with HE Paul Madden in Albany

There was a march through the streets of Albany by serving military and veterans, with the pomp and circumstance that the military do so well. Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove, himself a decorated war hero, took the salute. Then we attended a moving ceremony at the shoreside ANZAC Peace Park. I felt privileged to lay a wreath on behalf of the United Kingdom. Finally we attended the opening of the new National Anzac Centre, a stunning museum perched atop Mt Adelaide with far reaching views of the beautiful harbour, which a hundred years ago sheltered all those ships full of expectant Australian and Kiwi servicemen.

Whilst in WA I took the opportunity to call on the new Governor, the Hon Kerry Sanderson, who has just assumed office as the first female governor of the state, after a career as a senior public servant and businesswoman. I knew Kerry well already from her time as WA’s Agent General in London. I am sure she will be a great governor of her state.

About Paul Madden

Paul Madden has been the British Ambassador to Japan from January 2017. He was Additional Director for Asia Pacific at the FCO in 2015.He was British High Commissioner to Australia…

Paul Madden has been the British Ambassador to Japan from January 2017.

He was Additional Director for Asia Pacific at the FCO in 2015.He was British High Commissioner to Australia until February 2015. Prior to this he was British High Commissioner in Singapore from 2007-2011.

A career diplomat, he was previously Managing Director at UK Trade and Investment (2004-2006), responsible for co-ordinating and
implementing international trade development strategies to support
companies across a wide range of business sectors.

As Assistant Director of Information at the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office (2003-2004) he was responsible for public diplomacy policy,
including managing the FCO funding of the BBC World Service, the British
Council and the Chevening Scholarships programme. He led the team
responsible for the award-winning UK pavilion at the Aichi Expo in Japan
2005.

He was Deputy High Commissioner in Singapore from 2000-2003 and has
also served in Washington (1996-2000) and Tokyo (1988-92). Between
1992-96 he worked on EU enlargement and Environmental issues at the FCO
in London.

Before joining FCO he worked at the Department of Trade and Industry
(1980-87) on a range of industrial sectors and trade policy, including
two years as a minister’s Private Secretary.

He has an MA in Economic Geography from Cambridge University, an MBA
from Durham University, studied Japanese at London University’s School
of Oriental and African Studies, and is a Fellow of the Royal
Geographical Society. His first book, Raffles: Lessons in Business
Leadership, was published in 2003.

Married to Sarah, with three children, he was born in 1959, in Devon.

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