Ms NneNne Iwuji-Eme has been appointed British High Commissioner
to the Republic of Mozambique in succession to Ms Joanna
Kuenssberg. Ms Iwuji-Eme becomes the first British black female
career diplomat to be appointed High Commissioner. She will take
up her new role in July 2018.
Ms Iwuji-Eme has spent 16 years in the Foreign Office, with roles
ranging from Economic Adviser for Africa to Chief Press Officer
to the Africa Minister, she has also worked as an Economist in
Defra and for Royal Dutch Shell. Her most recent posting was to
Brazil as First Secretary Prosperity and Acting Prosperity
Consul.
NneNne Iwuji-Eme said:
“It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed High
Commissioner to Mozambique.
“I hope my appointment as the first British black female career
diplomat to this position will inspire young talent, regardless
of race or background, to pursue their ambitions in the Foreign
Office. I look forward to forging even stronger connections
between Britain and Mozambique two close members of the
Commonwealth family.”
Foreign Secretary said:
“As the country heads in a new and exciting direction, it’s
important that we have the brightest and the best batting for
Britain.
“Our great diversity is an invaluable asset on the global stage,
and it’s only right that at all levels the FCO reflects this.
“As a continent with some of the world’s fastest growing
economies, Africa is an important partner post Brexit. NneNne has
the vision, experience and energy to take our relationship with
Mozambique to the next level, and I congratulate her on her
appointment.”
The Foreign Office has made huge strides in improving diversity.
Just under a third of Missions (32per cent) are headed up by
women up 200 per cent since 2008, and half the FCO board is
female. Black and Minority Ethnic currently make up 13.4 per cent
of Foreign Office staff, with the FCO board and BAME networks
improving diversity with tailored training and mentoring
programmes and a schools outreach programme.
The FCO is working to improve diversity in the Diplomatic Service
and his been awarded a Gold banding for race, in the Business in
the Community Diversity Benchmark, the UK’s most comprehensive
benchmark for workplace diversity
CURRICULUM VITAE
Full name: Chigozirije NneNne Iwuji-Eme
2014 – present Sao Paulo, Deputy Prosperity Consul /Head of
Prosperity
2013 – 2014 Brasilia, First Secretary (Political)
2012 FCO, Chief Press Officer covering Africa Minister, South
Asia, North America, UN
2011 – 2012 FCO, Head of Section, Strategy and Resources, Global
Economy Group
2009 – 2011 FCO, Head, Great Lakes Section, Africa Directorate
2008 FCO, Policy Analyst, Directorate for Strategy, Policy
Planning, and Innovation
2006 – 2008 Royal Dutch Shell (Netherlands), Scenarios
Planner/Senior Africa specialist
2002 – 2006 FCO, Head, Africa, Middle East and Transition
Economies, Economic Policy Department
1999 – 2001 Department for the Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs, Economic Adviser
