Online Reporter
Kuda Bwititi
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE United Kingdom has appointed seasoned diplomat Mrs Gill Lever as its new Ambassador to Zimbabwe, succeeding Mr Peter Vowles, who was recently redeployed.
According to a statement by the UK government yesterday, Mrs Lever will assume her new role next month.
She brings with her nearly four decades of diplomatic experience, having served in senior positions across Africa, Asia and Europe since joining the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1989.
Before her appointment to Harare, Mrs Lever served as Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Nigeria, from 2023 to this year.
Previously, she was Deputy Head of Mission in Juba, South Sudan, between 2022 and 2023.
“From 2018 to 2022, she headed Overseas Health and Welfare at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where she was responsible for the welfare of UK staff serving overseas,” the UK government said.
Mrs Lever has also held diplomatic postings in Japan, Romania, India and Vietnam.
Between 2014 and 2018, while based in Vietnam, she served as President of the Hanoi International Women’s Club and managed the Hue Help Drowning Prevention Programme.
Her earlier diplomatic assignments included serving as First Secretary (Management) in Tokyo, Entry Clearance Officer in Mumbai and Third Secretary (Political) in Bucharest.
At the headquarters in London, Mrs Lever held several senior roles, including Deputy Head of the South-East Asia Department, Human Resources Business Partner for Africa, Asia, Europe and Global Issues, and a member of the Africa Peacekeeping Team in the United Nations Department.
She also worked in the Hong Kong Department and the Research and Analysis Department’s Asia-Pacific Section during the early years of her diplomatic career, the UK government said.
Mrs Lever succeeds Mr Vowles, who has since been appointed British High Commissioner to Nigeria.
During his tenure, Ambassador Vowles oversaw one of the most constructive periods in relations between Harare and London since the launch of the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement policy.
There was growing confidence between the two countries, reflected in increased ministerial engagement, discussions on expanding investment, support for Zimbabwe’s debt resolution process, and collaboration on regional and global issues.
His tenure also coincided with the revival of direct Harare-London air links, with engagements initiated during his posting ultimately bearing fruit through the resumption of Air Zimbabwe’s flights to London.
