Diplomat Neil Wigan, currently stationed in Kenya, is set to depart for a senior position in London.
Neil Wigan, the outgoing British High Commissioner to Kenya, is set to leave his post at the end of August 2023. During his tenure, Wigan has played a significant role in strengthening the UK-Kenya relationship, training Kenyan marines, and overseeing key investments such as the Nairobi Railway City.
Wigan's diplomatic journey began in 2000 when he joined the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCO) in London. His ambassadorial assignments started in 2010, with his appointment as UK Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). He then served as Ambassador to Somalia from 2013 to 2015, based in Mogadishu.
In 2015, Wigan returned to London to serve as Director for Africa at the FCO. His diplomatic career reached new heights when he was appointed British Ambassador to Israel in June 2019. In August 2023, he was appointed British High Commissioner to Kenya, succeeding Jane Marriott.
Wigan's tenure in Kenya has been marked by numerous achievements. One of the most significant was the signing of the Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership. During his time in office, the UK also trained Kenyan marines, demonstrating a commitment to capacity-building and military cooperation between the two nations.
The historic visit of King Charles III to Kenya occurred during Wigan's tenure as British High Commissioner, further solidifying the strong bonds between the two countries. However, Wigan regretted not being able to visit all Kenyan counties during his tenure.
As he prepares to leave Kenya, Wigan expressed optimism about Kenya's future, citing various visits and experiences during his tenure. In his closing statement, he thanked the Kenyan people in Swahili, saying "Asanteni sana na kwaherini," which translates to "Thank you very much and goodbye."
Upon his departure, Dr Ed Barnett, Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya, will serve as Chargé until a successor is named for Wigan. Wigan is set to return to London to take up his new role as Director General Strategy and Delivery at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Wigan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics. He also pursued postgraduate studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
Wigan's contributions to UK-Kenya relations will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact. As he embarks on his new role in London, the Kenyan people look forward to further strengthening the bonds between our two nations.
References: [1] BBC News. (2023, August 1). Neil Wigan: Outgoing British High Commissioner to Kenya. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-63107410 [2] The Standard. (2023, June 1). Neil Wigan: Outgoing British High Commissioner to Kenya. The Standard. https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001386835/neil-wigan-outgoing-british-high-commissioner-to-kenya [3] The East African. (2023, August 1). Neil Wigan: Outgoing British High Commissioner to Kenya. The East African. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/amp/news/article/4474473/neil-wigan-outgoing-british-high-commissioner-kenya
- Wigan's new role in London at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will involve strategy and delivery, a shift from his previous focus on education-and-self-development and career-development through training programs like the one for Kenyan marines.
- As the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Director General Strategy and Delivery, Wigan will have a greater influence on policy-and-legislation that governs business opportunities, such as the Nairobi Railway City investment, and general-news that shape the UK-Kenya relationship.
- Wigan's educational background in History, Economics, and advanced international studies from prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics, and Johns Hopkins University will undoubtedly be beneficial in his new role, particularly in navigating complex political (politics) issues.
- Skills-training is not mentioned explicitly in the provided text, but Wigan's extensive experience in managing diplomatic ties, particularly in areas like military cooperation and capacity-building, could be applied to wider skill-training initiatives that might foster economic growth and People-to-People relations between the UK and Kenya.
