Maria Leng, Cert. Hon. Email and Phone Number

Policy advice: Human Rights, Child Safeguarding, Environmental Issues, Prison Issues, Law/Orders originating from UK.Coordination of obligations under international lawManagement of FCO funded projects and programmesMember of the Child Safeguarding BoardCorporate Services ManagerWeb Editor and manager of office digital channelsPress, presentations, speeches and communications for Governor's Office

Lead a team of 7 delivering consular services to British Nationals in Catalonia, Aragon and Andorra. Communicating and influencing regional government, local authorities, travel and tourism industries, local media, and British community groups, particularly the NGO sector at the highest level. Lead on high profile consular cases and interactions with the local British Community.

Successfully delivered on a change project to move 18 Consulates (in 5 countries) within the region (South Eastern Europe Consular Network) to a central Contact Centre system based in Malaga. Improved Management Information reporting system within the region and updated accounting procedures.

Leadership of the Canaries Consular operation. Delivery of high quality and modern services to the British public within targets and guidance. Development and implementation of a clear strategy for the Canaries team to introduce greater consistency, professionalism and structure given the changing external environment. Lead on high profile and complex consular assistance cases, briefing and advising the Ambassador and other senior colleagues as necessary. Communicating and influencing regional government, local authorities, travel and tourism industries, local media, and British community groups, particularly the NGO sector at the highest level. Lead on change management projects aimed at providing more efficient, effective and better quality services to our customers. Devising and testing crisis plans - working with emergency service agencies throughout region. Supporting the Ambassador in responding to a crisis. Putting in place contingencies for large-scale events likely to attract significant numbers of British visitors. Leading role in Channel 4’s ‘Our Man in ...’ series in March 2012 focusing on the work of British Consulates abroad and BBC1 ‘Rip off Britain Holidays’ in November 2012 highlighting key messages to British Nationals while on holiday.

Managed a team of 4 delivering consular services to British Nationals in Ibiza. Remotely managed from Palma, with personal responsibility for managing and developing relationships at the highest level on the island. Lead on high profile consular cases and interactions with the local British Community. Developed the Balearics change implementation plan following the 2009 review and restructure involving 10 members of staff.Key achievements include managing a 50% increase in casework, 25% increase in Emergency Passport/Emergency Travel Document issuing and a 38% increase in income from 08/09 to 09/10.

Project managed and led the merger of the International Trade teams and procedures in the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway to create one International Trade team across the South of Scotland. Eliminated duplication, created new innovative processes for providing International support and used as a blueprint for further restructuring across the rest of the network. Achievements include increasing Export sales in the Scottish Borders by £2.4 million with £45,000 grant funding in 2007/08 and by £1.6 million with £40,000 grant funding in 06/07, becoming the lead advisor for Textiles for the whole of Scotland and taking the lead for promoting Scottish Textiles in Japan

Managed a team of 2 providing International Business Development advice. Counselling, training and strategy development for companies in the Scottish Borders looking to Internationalise. Turned around relationship with Borders Export Club, refreshed the Export Club model and rolled out to the rest of Scotland.

Responsible for driving International and European sales in speciality and security paper. Preparation of large tenders, negotiating freight rates, customer visits, customer service, preparation of Letters of Credit for Latin America, Far East, Africa and Europe

Administrative assistant for a drilling contractors to the oil industry. Responsible for the Year 2000 project, Web page and Newsletter. Admin support to the oilrig Certification Engineer. Liaise with regulatory authorities, maintain equipment database.