Gemma Sykes
Biography
Gemma is an accomplished diplomat with experience in a wide variety of areas of diplomatic work and a strong background in public service. She joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2013 on a graduate scheme for the FCO Finance profession and worked in a number of finance and corporate roles, in London and Manila, before transferring to the Diplomatic Service in 2018. She was posted to the British High Commission, Islamabad, where she spent 18 months as Second Secretary Political, working on Counter-Extremism and on the 2019 visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Pakistan. In August 2020 she joined the British Embassy Quito as Deputy Head of Mission.
Gemma’s first job, and her first contact with the FCO, was as a member of local staff in the consular section at the British Consulate-General Barcelona, assisting British Nationals. While in Spain, Gemma obtained a Master’s degree in International Relations from the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals. She has also worked as a Manager for the NHS and as an MP’s researcher in the House of Commons.
Gemma holds a degree in Modern and Medieval Languages (Spanish and Portuguese) from the University of Cambridge, and spent the third year of her course in Mexico. She speaks Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese and French, and has dabbled in many other languages. She is excited to be in Latin America, an area which holds a longstanding interest for her, and is looking forward to exploring Ecuador and the wider region.
Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Quito
The Deputy Head of Mission is a senior diplomat and typically a key advisor to the Ambassador or High Commissioner. The Deputy is responsible for the daily management of an overseas Embassy or High Commission. They will represent the UK’s interests in the absence of the Ambassador as Chargé d’Affaires. A senior ranking Deputy may also take the title Minister. Smaller missions may not have a Deputy Head.