Kara Owen
Kara Justine Owen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Singapore | |
| In office February 2019 – July 2024 | |
| Monarchs | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Prime Minister | Theresa May Boris Johnson Liz Truss Rishi Sunak |
| Preceded by | Scott Wightman |
| Succeeded by | Nikesh Mehta |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse | William Tierney |
| Alma mater | University of Sheffield |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
Kara Justine Owen CVO, CMG (born 1971)[1] is a senior British civil servant[2] and the current High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Singapore.[3][4] In April 2024, it was announced that she would be succeeded by Nikesh Mehta in July 2024, and Owen would transfer to another posting in the service.[5]
Early life
Owen spent her childhood in the village of Bigrigg in Cumbria,[6] and attended the University of Sheffield.[7]
Career
Owen was not sure at first if she had made the right career choice. She stated,
When I had just entered the Foreign Office, sometimes I wondered if they confused my application form with someone else’s because I felt very different to the rest of the organisation. There weren’t many senior females when I joined. Those that were around appeared to have made some challenging personal choices that I didn’t feel ready to make, as I wanted to have a partner and children. I also didn’t come from Oxbridge or a private school. I came from a very ordinary family in a not very prosperous part of the UK, so I was afraid whether it would be okay for me to be me.[7]
Owen joined the FCO in 1993[8] as Desk Officer for Russia. From 1996 to 2000 she was Vice Consul (Consular) and then Vice Consul (Political) at the British Consulate General in Hong Kong. She was Assistant Private Secretary to Junior Ministers at the FCO from 2001 to 2023; and Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw from 2003 to 2005. Owen was Deputy Head of Mission in Hanoi from 2005 to 2009. From then until 2011 she was assistant director, Head of Diversity and Equality at the FCO. She was Deputy Head of Mission in Paris from 2012 to 2016;[9][6] and Director for the Americas at the FCO from then until her appointment in Singapore.[3]
Awards
Owen was appointed Commander of The Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 2014 following the successful state visit by Elizabeth II to France,[10][6] and a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in Queen's Birthday Honours for 2020.[11]
References
- ^ "Company Appointments
HISPANIC AND LUSO BRAZILIAN COUNCIL(THE) (00383775)". GOV.UK. HM Government, UK. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2024. - ^ "C.M.G." The London Gazette. No. 63135. 9 October 2020.
THE QUEEN has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the Celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday, to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George: C.M.G. To be Ordinary Members of the Third Class, or Companions, of the said Most Distinguished Order: Kara Justine OWEN C.V.O. British High Commissioner, Singapore For services to British foreign policy.
- ^ a b "Change of British High Commissioner to Singapore: July 2019". United Nations Digital Library. GOV.UK. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
Ms Kara Owen CVO has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Singapore.
- ^ "UK Closes In on Green Accord With Singapore to Boost Trade, Investment Post-Brexit". Bloomberg.com. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Change of British High Commissioner to Singapore: Nikesh Mehta". GOV.UK. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ a b c "A gift from Her Majesty for the diplomat from Bigrigg". Whitehaven News. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Getting to know Kara Justine Owen, the British High Commissioner to Singapore". University of Sheffield Alumni. University of Sheffield. 22 July 1980. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Today marks 30 years since I joined Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service". Linkedin. Kara Owen. November 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
Thirty years ago, as a hopeful, excited, determined but intimidated 22 year old, I never imagined that in 30 years time, I would still be serving, motivated, happy and grateful.
- ^ "Kara Owen British High Commissioner to Singapore". Milken Institute. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood | Honours and Awards | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Kara OWEN | Order of Saint Michael and Saint George | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2024.