News story

Change of British High Commissioner to Uganda

Ms Alison Blackburne has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Uganda.

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

She will succeed Mr Martin Shearman who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Blackburne will take up her appointment during August 2012.

Ms Blackburne joined the FCO in 1987 and has held a variety posts in London and abroad. She has previously served overseas in Warsaw, Stockholm, New York (UK Permanent Mission to the UN), Harare and Brussels (UK Permanent Representation to the EU), as well as more recent short-term attachments in Jakarta and Washington. She also spent two years on loan to the Ministry of Justice as Principal Private Secretary to the Justice Secretary.

On her appointment as British High Commissioner to the Republic of Uganda, Ms Blackburne said

“I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed High Commissioner to Uganda. I look forward to having the opportunity to lead the UK’s engagement with Uganda across the wide range of issues where we have shared interests, and to develop further the strong bilateral relationship.”

Full name:

Alison Blackburne

August 2011-Present

Washington, Her Majesty’s Consul General and Counsellor Corporate Services (Temporary Duty)

January-July 2011

Jakarta, Deputy Head of Mission (Temporary Duty)

2008-2010 Ministry of Justice, Principal Private Secretary to the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice

2006-2008

UKRep Brussels, Political Counsellor

2003-2006

Harare, Deputy Head of Mission

2000-2003

Stockholm, First Secretary Head of Political/Economic Section

1996-2000

UKMis New York, First Secretary Head of Political/Economic Section

1995-1996 FCO, Head of Russia, Ukraine and Moldova Section, Eastern Department

1994-1995

FCO, Head of Russia External/CIS Section, Eastern Department

1992-1994

FCO, Desk Officer for Common Foreign and Secretary Policy (CFSP) Implementation, CFSP Unit

1989-1992

Warsaw, Third (then Second) Secretary Chancery

1987-1989 FCO, Assistant Desk Officer, Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, East Africa Department

1987 Joined FCO

Published 26 January 2012