Change of British High Commissioner to Mauritius
Mr Nick Leake has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Mauritius and Her Majesty’s Non-Resident Ambassador to the Union of the Comoros.
He will succeed Dr John Murton who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Leake will take up his appointment during September 2010.
Mr Leake joined the FCO in 1994 and worked in the European Union Department. He then served in Budapest, Hungary (1996-2000) and at the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels (2000-2002).
Mr Leake then returned to London and worked for HM Treasury, before undertaking a secondment to the Commission for Africa as part of the UK Presidency of the G8.
Returning to the FCO, Mr Leake was Private Secretary to the Minister for Europe (Denis MacShane), and later the Minister for Trade (Ian Pearson). Since 2006, Mr Leake has been Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.
On his appointment as High Commissioner to the Republic of Mauritius and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Union of the Comoros, Mr Leake has said: “I am delighted and truly honoured to be given the opportunity to serve in this fascinating and beautiful part of the world. The celebration of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of formal ties between Britain and Mauritius in December 2010 will be an opportunity to celebrate the successful democracy that Mauritius has become and our many shared values.
“I also look forward to playing my part in developing even better relations with the Union of the Comoros especially in the run-up to their proposed Presidential and Gubernatorial Elections towards the end of this year.”
Curriculum vitae
Full name: Nicholas Howard Leake
Partner: Oana Maria Bucsa
2006 - present Sofia, Deputy Head of Mission
Dec ‘04 - Dec ‘05
FCO/DTI, Private Secretary to Minister for Europe and later Minister for Trade and Asia
March ‘04 - Dec ‘04
Commission for Africa / Department for International Development, Theme Manager
2002 - 2004
HM Treasury, Head of Public Sector Preparations, Voluntary Sector and Consumer Protection, Euro Preparations Department
2000 - 2002
UKREP Brussels, First Secretary, Research and Telecoms
1996 - 2000
Budapest, Second Secretary
1995 - 1996
FCO, Full-time language and professional training
1994 - 1995
FCO, Desk Officer, European Union Department