Counsellor for Global Issues, USA

Paul Rennie OBE

Biography

Paul Rennie is the Head of the Global Economy Group at the British Embassy, Washington DC, leading the UK’s climate and energy, economic and trade, and science and technology networks across the United States. Prior to that, he led the Foreign Office’s strategic transformation programme, focused on delivering a 21st century Diplomatic Service.

Paul was educated at George Heriot’s School, before going on to graduate with an MA in Economics and Politics (Edinburgh University) and an MSc in Economics (York University).

He joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2001 as the first of a new group of Diplomatic Service Economists. He has served at the United Nations (New York), Brazil, India and Malaysia, as well as working on secondment to the Cabinet Office and the Department for International Development.

Paul is a professional economist, with a particular expertise the analysis of emerging markets and the international education sector, presenting on the future of education at several international conferences. In 2019 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Heriot-Watt University in recognition of his ‘expertise and contributions to the development and strategic positioning of UK education overseas’.

He was appointed Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s 2015 New Year’s Honours List for services to UK-India relations.

Paul speaks English, Portuguese, Dutch, French and Hindi.

Curriculum vitae

2018 to 2020 Director Diplomacy 20:20, Change and Networks, Foreign & Commonwealth Office
2014 to 2018 Deputy High Commissioner, Malaysia
2011 to 2014 Head of the Political Department, British High Commission, India
2009 to 2010 Senior Programme Manager, Department for International Development, India
2008 to 2009 Head of G8/G20 Team, Cabinet Office
2006 to 2008 Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary, Lord O’Donnell
2003 to 2006 Head of the Economic Department, British Embassy, Brazil
2002 Temporary duty, UK Mission to the United Nations, New York
2001 to 2002 Desk Officer, Economic Policy Department of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office

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Counsellor for Global Issues, USA

The Counsellor for Global Issues leads the UK government’s prosperity policy agenda in the USA, including trade, economic, energy/environment, transport, technology policy and science and innovation policy.

The counsellor provides direction, strategic insight, clarity and coherence on prosperity across eight teams, the Embassy, and the whole of the US Network. The counsellor also engages and deliberates with US Administration, Congressional, business and civil society figures

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Previous roles in government

  • Director, Diplomacy 20:20
  • Deputy Head of Mission, British High Commission Kuala Lumpur