President Julius Maada Bio expressed honour to accept the Letters of Credence by which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second has accredited Mr. Mustard as High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Sierra Leone.
His Excellency, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio said: “My government is very focused on human capital development, in both health and education terms, and keen to build greater capacity in key institutions to help foster and sustain economic growth. I hoped the UK would continue to be active partners in these areas, along with security.”
In presenting his Credentials, Mr Simon Mustard said: “I have already seen first-hand the deep partnership and friendship that exists between our countries, in areas ranging from security, to development, education, business growth and people to people links. I want to strengthen those links over the next few years as our partnership evolves in the 21st century.”
Simon worked as a police officer for several years in a variety of operational roles before joining the UK’s Diplomatic Service in 2001. He has served in Central America, Washington, the Middle East, and London, as well as the UK’s Special Envoy to Africa’s Great Lakes Region, Head of Southern and Central Africa Department at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and High Commissioner to Malawi.
Simon hails from Hull in the north of England, birthplace of William Wilberforce. He is keen to see the existing city to city between Freetown and Hull, develop further.