Michael Nevin has been appointed British High Commissioner to Malawi but he will take up his appointment in September.
He replaces Fergus Cochrane-Dyet who was declared persona non grata by the Bingu wa Mutharika administration after he filed a report to London in which he described the then Malawi leader as “autocratic”.
Nevin once served at the British High Commission in Lilongwe from May 2000 until July 2003 as Second Secretary (Political) and Press and Public Affairs Officer.
He has been the Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya and Political Counsellor since June 2008.
Announcing the appointment in a press release on Friday, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said Nevin will come to Malawi having served four years in Nairobi.
On his appointment, the statement quotes Nevin as saying “My family and I are delighted to be coming back to the Warm Heart of Africa. It is an honour to be chosen to serve again in such a beautiful country with such wonderful people. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues as we help the Government and people of Malawi contend with the challenges of democratic and economic revitalisation.
“The changes proposed by H.E. The President Joyce Banda are important primarily for Malawians, but they can also serve to establish Malawi as a leading progressive force internationally. There is much to build on – a reputation for friendliness, wonderful tourism, music and cultural prospects and in the Flames and Queen’s a growing sporting reputation. I pledge to do all I can to strengthen the relationship as we support Malawians in this new era.”
Nevin joined the FCO in 1993 and has to date served two postings in Africa, including the Malawi one earlier in his career. He is married to Sawako and has three children Marie, Caley and Mio further reads the statement.
Among other appointments, he served as FCO Assistant Desk Officer for the China and Taiwan section in 1993,. In 1996 he served at the British Embassy Riyadh, and the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York among others.
In 2003, Nevin was at the FCO as Arab Reform Office in the Middle East North Africa Directorate; in 2004 at the FCO as Policy Team Leader engaging the Islamic World; in 2005 as the FCO Counter Terrorism Prevent Communications Team Leader and in 2007 on secondment to the Counter Terrorism Research, Information and Communications Unit in Home Office.
