People person, passionate about allowing every member of the team to fulfil their potential. Duncan’s has an extensive experience helping global companies position themselves to fulfil their growth potential. Curious and analytical and an effective influencer with a record of strong communication.
He began his career as a Retail Business Analyst in the oil industry in 1980. After he worked in the West African team in London, in the British Embassy in Havana, as Head of the Japan Team in London and in the central HR team in 1990. With a great vision in 1991 he was the Head of Commercial Team in Budapest where he supported a 12-strong team in transition economy, helping British companies win business. Advised major UK companies on Hungary’s ambitious privatisation programme.
In 1996 he was the Director of Latin American Affairs, Rolls Royce, where he Reviewed Rolls Royce’s operations in Brazil. He had the opportunity to worked closely with C-suite and Board. Where he made recommendations for substantial expansion of aerospace operations approved by Board and subsequently implemented, with appointment of new CEO. Because of his experience he became the Director of Consular Services, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where he led 90-strong team in London and 800-strong consular service worldwide. Developed policy and introduced cost-reducing innovation in service delivery. Supervised passport production overseas, managing £55m self-financing budget.
In 2000 as the Deputy Consul-General in New York he supervised consular services and led consular response to 9/11. Core role public diplomacy, promoting UK interests. He managed 100 senior government visits a year to explore best practice and develop innovative solutions to challenges in UK domestic government policy. Promoted Northern Ireland Peace process with influential Iris Americans and media.
It was in 2005 when he became the British High Commissioner for Barbados and Eastern Caribbean where he helped leading on all aspects of UK’s complex relationship with 7 small independent countries in the Eastern Caribbean. Developed personal relationship with regional Prime Ministers to deliver UK objectives and promote UK interests, as well as ensuring effective crisis response capability in place. Because of his strong leadership, with wide experience of working in different cultures he was the Governor of the Cayman Islands in 2010. There he was the responsible for good governance and due process in management of all island’s affairs. Chaired Cabinet Meetings drove modernisation and reform in Public Service of 6,000 and responsible for all security matters: line manager of Police Commissioner, Attorney General, Prison Governor.
Duncan’s experience and vision has always been transcendental, that is why as the British Ambassador to Mexico in 2013, he led all aspects of the relationship between UK and Mexico, promoting UK interests. He designed strategic vision for UK relationship with Mexico, a key like-minded partner, through senior contact building, political analysis and public diplomacy. Awarded Mexico’s highest honour, the Order of the Aztec Eagle, for services to UK-Mexico relations.
Duncan has proven record promoting diversity and inclusiveness and delivering through personal relationships, his curiosity and interest for the international world has led him to different positions worldwide. He is graduated from Cambridge Univerisity in Modern Languages and speaks fluently English, French and Spanish.