10th December 2015
Stockholm, Sweden
On arrival at Stockholm Arlanda airport is a large sign welcoming visitors to the Swedish capital. Nothing unusual in that of course. But what makes this sign different is exactly who the sign is welcoming. Holidaymakers back from Thailand? Weary business people from the US? Neither. The sign says ‘Welcome Students and Researchers.’ Anyone who […]
Read more on Celebrating Success in Stockholm – the Nobel Prizes | Reply
30th November 2015
Mumbai, India
Last month, I participated in a one-day India-UK workshop on innovation and technology commercialisation. This programme was jointly organised by my colleagues from the UK Science and Innovation Network and UK Trade and Investment in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. See press article here. I was one of six panelists in a discussion on Internationalising Innovations – Opportunities […]
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27th November 2015
Chennai, India
Today I celebrate 20 years in the Foreign Office. I joined, like many others, because I wanted to see the world and be a part of something that mattered. I remember during the induction a colleague who was less awed by the surroundings asking how long it would take to get promoted (answer 12 years if […]
Read more on A Very Unlikely Ambassador | Reply (1)
23rd November 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Poor sanitation threatens everyone’s health. It is sad to hear that an astonishing 2.4 billion people throughout the world do not have access to a toilet and have to practice open defecation. November is considered a very special month in Ethiopia regarding sanitation. I’m sure that visitors would have observed the sky over Addis full of […]
Read more on Hygienic sanitation would avoid unnecessary deaths | Reply (1)
22nd November 2015
Beirut, Lebanon
Independence Day is an opportunity to commemorate the birth of Lebanon as a state. This occasion comes a few months after my arrival here as Ambassador, and this weekend I have been reflecting on the nature of the Lebanese nation. Lebanon, the land of the phoenix, the eternal Cedars and 6000 years of history came […]
Read more on INDEPENDENCE DAY | Reply
12th November 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
We held a learning and development week at the British Embassy last month. Alongside training courses ranging from performance management to social media I decided to put together a slightly more light-hearted finale. We would attempt to identify the pieces of music which, in the view of Embassy staff, best represent Romania and Britain. I […]
Read more on A Song For Romania (and Britain) | Reply (1)
9th November 2015
Hanoi, Vietnam
The UK and Vietnam don’t have much in the way of shared history. Sometimes that makes my job harder; sometimes easier. But last week, an all-star cast gathered in Hanoi – the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Lord Puttnam; the Vietnamese Minister and Vice Minister of Justice; a former British High Court judge; and most of […]
Read more on The Rule of Law | Reply (6)
6th November 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Two weeks ago all UK eyes were on China’s State visit to the UK. But the Chinese weren’t the only ones in town building commercial ties. It was also a week for Ethiopia in London, with a number of events where Ethiopia showcased their recent economic success and future potential. I joined Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister […]
Read more on Ethiopia – a huge opportunity for UK investment | Reply
21st October 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The United Kingdom is built on values like democracy, respect and tolerance. These unite the nation, and help our society develop and thrive. They are supported by the overwhelming majority of people in our country. But these values have become challenged and threatened in recent years in an unprecedented way, by extremists seeking to spread […]
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29th September 2015
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Digital Diplomacy is a key part of our work in the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We are encouraged to use social media and become closer to our audiences, to engage with and listen to them – it helps us reach a much wider range of stakeholders than through traditional methods of diplomacy. I started […]
Read more on Social Media & Ethiopia: a discussion with some top ‘influencers’ | Reply
