The Government of the United Kingdom has announced the appointment of Simon Mustard as the new British High Commissioner to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the broader Eastern Caribbean.
Mr. Mustard, who will be resident in Barbados, brings extensive diplomatic experience to his new role, having served in Central America, Washington D.C., the Middle East, Africa, and London. He was previously British High Commissioner to both Sierra Leone and Malawi and holds a degree in International Relations from the University of Aberdeen.
Reflecting on his appointment, High Commissioner Mustard expressed his enthusiasm:
“I am thrilled to return to the Caribbean, a region that holds a special place in my diplomatic life. I look forward to getting to know the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and to working closely with regional governments to address shared challenges and opportunities.”
On Thursday, 19 June 2025, Mr. Mustard presented his credentials to Dr. The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He later paid a courtesy call on Her Excellency Dame Susan Dougan, Governor General, and visited the UK-funded Kingstown Port Modernisation Project.
This £158 million project, the largest UK-supported initiative in the Eastern Caribbean, includes £28 million in UK grant funding. It is designed to provide climate-resilient infrastructure essential to the island’s economic activity and underscores the UK’s commitment to sustainable development and regional resilience.
As High Commissioner, Mr. Mustard will prioritize key areas of UK engagement in the region, including:
- Security cooperation
- Economic growth
- Climate resilience
- Sustainable development