5th July 2012 New York, USA
On Monday, I had the fantastic experience of landing an Airbus 320 in London. Well, simulating one at least, from inside a Thales full-flight simulator of an A320 at Airbus’ Miami training centre. The flight might have been virtual, but the sweat on my brow was real, and I was definitely at my most focused. […]
29th June 2012 New York, USA
The gentlemen of London have long had a well-respected signature style. Tailored suits, crisp lines, and classic accessories are staples of their wardrobes. But London is also known for the avant-garde, like the 60s mod and rocker looks of the past, influenced heavily by pop culture. And while you can visit London, like any good […]
27th June 2012
Over the last few weeks I’ve attended Olympic send-off ceremonies in all the major states, culminating with the national event – the Prime Minister’s Olympic Dinner– in Melbourne on 23 June. They have been a fantastic showcase for the UK, as well as a demonstration of the Olympic enthusiasm in this sports mad country. The […]
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22nd June 2012 Islamabad, Pakistan
International Inspiration is part of the UK’s legacy programme, and has helped transform millions of lives around the world through the power of sport. On 28 June, 20 International Inspiration leaders, representing the 20 countries where International Inspiration has delivered its projects, will carry the Olympic Torch in Nottingham. Zainab Imran is selected as a […]
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6th June 2012 USA
Over this past weekend Royal fanfare and celebrations in the UK mark the 60th Anniversary of the reign of Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee offers us a chance to reflect on days gone by, on an era that has taken us from the insides of a telephone booth requiring pockets […]
30th May 2012 Islamabad, Pakistan
It is 6.30 am Saturday morning in Lahore, the room service waiter points at the TV news and says “that’s you”. I agree that it is, as footage plays of a meeting I had the day before with Nawaz Sharif, PML-N political leader and twice former Prime Minister of Pakistan, and, Shabaz Sharif, his brother […]
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28th May 2012 London, UK
You’ve seen the photographs of the Prime Ministers outside the door of Number 10 Downing Street. But after the politicians and cameras have left, what does it add up to? I’m one of the behind-the-scenes people in London and Islamabad. You won’t see any of us in the photos, but we’re the ones who made […]
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24th May 2012 Beirut, Lebanon
Monday marked 100 days until the London Paralympics. We had prepared a programme of events promoting the milestone, raising the profile of London and the UK, and encouraging greater focus on disability rights in Lebanon. But the disturbances of the weekend meant that we took a decision to focus on those instead. In a country […]
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21st May 2012 Washington DC, USA
The countdown clock in our Embassy tells me that the that the London 2012 opening ceremony is barely two months away. The Olympic Torch has begun its tour of the UK. All around the world, athletes are qualifying for their national teams. Here in the US, the first goosebump-raising, Morgan Freeman-voiced Olympics ad hit the […]
4th May 2012
I’m back in the UK for the annual Leadership Conference that brings together all our ambassadors from around the world, to be updated on the policy and corporate management priorities which will focus our work over the coming year. The strongest message was the importance of the Prosperity agenda, the work that our overseas FCO and UKTI […]