Press release

Change of British High Commissioner to Australia

Mrs Menna Frances Rawlings CMG has been appointed British High Commissioner to Australia.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Menna Rawlings CMG

Menna Rawlings CMG

Mrs Menna Frances Rawlings CMG has been appointed British High Commissioner to Australia in succession to Mr Paul Damian Madden CMG, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mrs Rawlings will take up her appointment during April 2015.

Menna joined the FCO in 1989 and has served in a wide range of Diplomatic Service roles. She was mostly recently a member of the Foreign and Commonwealth Management Board as HR Director. This followed postings to Washington DC, Ghana, Israel, Kenya and Brussels. In London, she has served as Private Secretary to the Permanent Under Secretary as well as in Press Office and the Africa and EU Directorates.

On her appointment as British High Commissioner to the Australia, Mrs Rawlings has said:

I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed as British High Commissioner to Australia. This is one of our most important bilateral relationships, reflecting our shared values, history, culture, mutual affection and respect. I look forward to building on that, delivering concrete outcomes that support prosperity and security in our two countries.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name: Menna Frances Rawlings CMG
Married to: Mark John Rawlings
Children: Three
2011 – 2014 FCO, Director HR
2008 – 2011 Washington, Counsellor (Corporate Services USA) and HM Consul General
2005 – 2008 Accra, Deputy High Commissioner and Head of Political Section
2005 FCO, Africa Directorate (G8/Africa)
2002 – 2004 FCO, Private Secretary to the Permanent Under Secretary
1998 – 2002 Tel Aviv, Head of Political Section
1996 – 1998 FCO, Press Officer
1993 – 1996 Nairobi, Second Secretary (Political/Economic)
1991 – 1993 UKRep Brussels, Third, later Second, Secretary (Institutions)
1990 – 1991 European Commission, Brussels, Stagiaire
1989 – 1990 FCO, European Community Department (Internal)
1989 Joined FCO

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Published 20 November 2014