By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The newly appointed British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Hugh Montgomery is expected to begin his new role in April 2023.
Montgomery’s appointment was announced in a statement by the United Kingdom Government on Tuesday. He is taking over from Catriona Laing who has since 2018 been the UK’s representative in Nigeria.
Laing will be transferred to another diplomatic service appointment, the statement said.
Montgomery served as the counsellor (development) and Head of Office, Department for International Development, Abuja, from 2009-2013.
He holds a PhD in social anthropology from the University of Cambridge, alongside other research-related qualifications from GKW Consult Mannheim and Manchester University.
The diplomat was, most recently, the UK Executive Director for the World Bank Group in Washington.
He has also held executive development roles in Zambia, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.
The High Commissioner is the UK government’s representative in a Commonwealth nation.
He takes charge for the direction and work of the consulate, including political relations, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.
