Gill Atkinson

Biography

Gill Atkinson was appointed her Majesty’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria in Abuja in July 2019. Prior to this appointment, she was, for a short period, the acting Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

Gill Atkinson started her career as a civilian in the Ministry of Defence supporting Royal Air Force flying, before transferring to policy work, including Defence aspects of NATO and military operations in the Balkans. Gill then moved to the UK Delegation to NATO in Brussels initially on Defence issues and then leading on NATO-Russia relations.

Gill transferred to the FCDO in London, where she headed the East Africa Section, before moving to Europe Directorate focusing on bilateral relations with southern European nations. Time in Warsaw as Deputy Head of Mission was followed by a posting to Karachi, Pakistan and then two years leading a Department in the National Security Directorate.

Previous roles in government

  • British Deputy High Commissioner Abuja
  • Deputy Head of Mission, Poland