11th May 2012
Washington DC, USA
Something I always dread happened the other day. A lunch guest bounced up to me enthusiastically and asked me how I felt about the President’s announcement. I was uncharacteristically but completely nonplussed. I’d been in back to back meetings all morning in Sacramento (hearing a rather different view from that of the Bay on economics and innovation […]
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10th May 2012
Washington DC, USA
At this month’s NATO summit in Chicago, the UK, US and our allies will have a hard look at how we are equipped to confront threats in the twenty-first century. Recent NATO missions have shown the benefit of modern capabilities and Smart Defence. Unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and smart munitions were crucial to the […]
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10th May 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
It’s Europe week in DC. The real fun and games are this Saturday when each of the EU Embassies open their doors to our neighbours, curious to find a shortcut to see the inside of those fine properties on Embassy row (hint: go to the British Embassy at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue and see close up the Sir […]
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10th May 2012
Warsaw, Poland
Following up on last year’s House of Commons report on Shale Gas we have been in action this week at a major seminar focused on shale gas in Poland. The UK has strong experience in onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration. Poland is the latest in a number of countries in Central Europe to […]
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9th May 2012
Washington DC, USA
What is the first thing you think of when you think “United Kingdom?” Maybe it’s Buckingham Palace and the generations of kings and queens who have ruled the British Isles since Roman times. Maybe it’s the plays and poems of William Shakespeare, or the fortunes of your favourite Premier League side. Maybe it’s the complex, […]
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8th May 2012
Dublin, Ireland
On Sunday, I realised a lifelong ambition. I flew for the first time in an open biplane, a 1939 Tiger Moth, owned by a great friend of the Embassy Jacek Mainka. Not only was it an extraordinary experience to fly in a 73-year-old aircraft, but it was also a poignant moment since my father learnt […]
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3rd May 2012
Washington DC, USA
This week marks two auspicious events. One year ago yesterday, I started work at the Embassy in Washington. Even aside from the mad dash to the airport in Moscow, the missed flights and unplanned but very pleasant stopover in Copenhagen, it was quite the day to remember. It’s also World Press Freedom Day, the day […]
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26th April 2012
Ottawa, Canada
A guest blog in honour of World Intellectual Property Day by the British High Commission’s Trade and Economic Advisor Mark Agnew: April 26 marks World Intellectual Property Day, and a chance to recognize the importance of IP in fostering innovation and growth. Although not particularly a dinner table subject of discussion, intellectual property and the […]
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24th April 2012
Washington DC, USA
The following is a guest blog from Bradley Keelor. Brad is a Senior Science and Innovation Policy Advisor at the British Embassy in Washington. It was recently World Creativity and Innovation Week. This was started by a Canadian anthropologist in 2001 as a way to commemorate the birthday of Leonardo Da Vinci and generally celebrate […]
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23rd April 2012
Washington DC, USA
I’m just three weeks into the Corporate Services role here and spent last week flying solo after a great handover from my predecessor, Alison, who is now destined for Uganda in the summer. It’s a busy agenda as expected, but made easier by a remarkable and supportive team from the very top downwards. But my […]
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