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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

First woman Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Appointed

8 October 1998

Dame Veronica Sutherland DBE, CMG, a British career diplomat with considerable Commonwealth experience, has been appointed Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General with responsibility for economic and social affairs. She is the first woman to hold this post and to serve the Commonwealth at such a high rank.

Currently British Ambassador to Eire (Republic of Ireland), Dame Veronica has had a distinguished career with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in Britain, serving in a variety of senior roles during her 30-year tenure. She takes up her Commonwealth post in February 1999 and is looking forward to the challenge of her new assignment. She said: "During the course of my lifetime the Commonwealth has left behind its imperial past and grown into a mature and dynamic, modern organisation of 54 equal and sovereign nations. I am excited by the prospect of making an active contribution to the Commonwealth as an increasing force for good in the world."

Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku commented: "I am delighted to have someone of Dame Veronica's considerable skill and wide experience on the team and pleased to have for the first time a woman appointed at the highest levels in the Commonwealth."

Dame Veronica Sutherland succeeds in the post of The Hon. Sir Humphrey Maud KCMG who will retire from public service at the end of the year.

 

98/69 8 October, 1998

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