Counter-terrorism Expert Ms. Lisa Chesney MBE Appointed British Envoy to Uganda

Ms. Lisa Chesney MBE has been named the new British High Commissioner to the Republic of Uganda. She will succeed Ms. Kate Airey OBE, who will be transferring to another diplomatic service role. Ms. Chesney is set to begin her tenure in October 2024.

This appointment comes in the wake of political changes in the United Kingdom, where Keir Starmer succeeded Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister on July 5, 2024, following the 2024 general election. The new administration at 10 Downing Street is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the UK’s foreign policy.

Career Highlights of Lisa Jane Chesney

Ms. Chesney brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having served in various high-profile positions both within the UK and internationally. Here is a brief overview of her distinguished career:

• 2021 to present: British High Commissioner in Freetown.
• 2020 to 2021: Gold Command at the Home Office, leading COVID-19 Recovery and Change in the Public Safety Group and heading the Counter-Extremism Unit.
• 2018 to 2020: Head of the Counter-Extremism Unit at the Home Office.
• 2015 to 2018: Deputy Head of the Security Policy Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
• 2015: Completed the Higher Command and Staff Course at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.
• 2013 to 2014: Deputy Head of Mission in Mogadishu.
• 2012 to 2013: Head of Politics and Strategic Communications for the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand Province, Lashkar Gah.
• 2012: Undertook full-time language training in Pashto.
• 2010 to 2012: Head of the Prevent Team in the Counter-Terrorism Department at the FCO.
• 2008 to 2010: Held leadership roles in the Corporate Services Centre Change Programme and Finance Directorate at the FCO.
• 2005 to 2008: European Category Director at Coats Plc, based in Germany.
• 2005: Studied at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne.
• 1995 to 2005: Held various sales and marketing roles at Coats Plc, ultimately becoming the Central Europe Marketing Manager.

Ms. Chesney’s extensive background in counter-terrorism, strategic communications, and international diplomacy equips her well for her upcoming responsibilities in Uganda. Her appointment is expected to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Uganda, fostering cooperation on a wide range of issues, including security, development, and trade.

As Ms. Kate Airey OBE prepares to move to her new assignment, her tenure in Uganda is recognized for its contributions to enhancing UK-Uganda relations.

Airey was appointed as the British High Commissioner to Uganda at the end of 2019, and began work in November 2020.