Led team of 20 finance, HR, and administrative staff, managed 5.6M GBP budget, and set strategic direction.Developed business and government relationships to negotiate strategies to influence Chinese operational policy.Partnered across departments to develop solutions for UK objectives, including operational response to COVID- 19.Improved HR policies and budget management, and designed plan to efficiently return 200+ diplomats to posts. Negotiated with China to secure policies and permissions for first charter flight into country for foreign missions.

Led team of 14 executive office staff serving 1.2K employees across 5 locations, reporting to the Ambassador.Directed strategy, engagement, and internal and external communications for ambassadorial communications.Advised Ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward on economic/trade policy and 169M GBP of programme funding.Cultivated business and institution stakeholder relationships for UK-China relations, policy, and programme work.Identified opportunities to enhance cooperation on economic, political, and environmental policy dialogues. Supported Ambassador in thought leadership and improving delivery of business plans across policy/sectors.Assessed and prioritised issues to aid Ambassador in managing risks, opportunities, and UK-China relations. Coordinated evacuation flight for British Nationals from Wuhan at start of Covid pandemic (Feb 20).

Advised foreign office ministers on bilateral policy and shaping dialogue, reporting to minister counsellor.Directed teams and planned sessions of the UK-China People-to-People Dialogue on behalf of the Secretariat.Consulted on policy focus for State Visit, ministerial/Royal visits, and dialogues (Energy, Economic and Financial).Designed and shaped soft power and engagement strategies to influence government and civil society actors.Identified, managed, and mitigated cross-sector and bi-lateral relationship risks to prevent confrontations.Negotiated strategies with ministries, drafted joint statements, and developed content and programming.

Advised as secretary to Corporate Board, developed strategy, and delivered review of governance structures.Designed and implemented estates strategy that led to a more functional, efficient, modern embassy space.Led projects to improve cross-service administration, employee compensation, and crisis preparation.

Led division in developing and implementing strategy and stakeholder engagement plans.Designed 9.3M EUR in EU aid and service contracts, and managed delivery of activities and reporting.Led negotiations with EU funding agency and national governments, securing commitment to cooperation.Managed staffing, recruitment, budgeting, and procurement planning, that aided in securing contracts.

Facilitating cooperation, consultation and dialogue between the EU Member States in Beijing.Drafting and editing of briefings, notes and letters, for Head and Deputy Head of Delegation.Editing of project identification documents during project design phase.

Data interpretation and investigation of dossiers.Linguistic revision of audit reports, and internal notes.Coordination and chairing of meetings for the organisation of the trainee fact-finding mission to Cyprus.