Ben Llewellyn-Jones takes over as new UK deputy high commissioner in Lagos

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*Llewellyn-Jones

The UK has appointed Ben Llewellyn-Jones as the new deputy high commissioner in Lagos.

He succeeds Ms. Harriet Thompson who has returned to the UK after completing four years as the DHC in Abuja and Lagos.

Spokesperson for the high commission, Ms. Ndidiamaka Eze said in a statement today that Llewellyn-Jones arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, 8 with his family.

Speaking during his arrival, the diplomat remarked: “It’s great to be back in Nigeria and I‘m very excited about this new role.  I thoroughly enjoyed my three years in Abuja, and I know that Lagos will be a fantastic place to live and work. I am looking forward to reconnecting with old friends, making new ones and doing all I can to support trade, investment and development in Nigeria.”

The new DHC is an experienced diplomat who has worked in different parts of the world including previously in Nigeria.

Eze said the DHC will be focusing on supporting trade, investment and development in Nigeria and growing commercial links between the UK and Nigeria.

Previously, the diplomat served as political counselor at the British High Commission in Abuja from July 2014 to July 2017.

He was most recently DHC to South Africa from August 2017 to August 2020, where he worked in particular to support trade and investment. 

Prior to that he was the British High Commissioner to Rwanda from 2011 – 2014.

The diplomat has equally held a range of responsibilities including leading UK policy to prevent dangerous climate change, and work to support UK agencies tackling organised crime.

He also served as the Deputy Head of the Climate Change and Energy Group at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 2009 to 2010, Head of the Third Country Relations Team at the UK Home Office, 2006.

He worked in Brussels as the UK Permanent Representation to the EU for four and a half years.

He also led the UK delegation at a number of EU and UN senior multilateral meetings.

He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen in 2009 for his service to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (now Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office).

Llewellyn-Jones is married to Laura and together they have children.

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