Duncan Taylor, the current current governor of the Cayman Islands, will assume his appointment as the new British Ambassador to Mexico in September.
He replaces Judith Macgregor, who will shortly be reassigned to another diplomatic position.
Taylor joined the British foreign service in 1982 and has worked on a wide range of issues, including leading the Japan section and as head of the Consular Service. He has served as British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and has also had postings in Havana, Budapest and New York. Before joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Taylor worked with Gulf Oil for two years. He has also spent a year on secondment with Rolls Royce, as director of Latin American Affairs.
Macgregor has served as ambassador for four years at a time when the UK-Mexico relationship has blossomed on many levels, most significantly in the areas of commerce and culture.
The past few years saw a series of high-level visits to Mexico, including those of British Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the Duke of York, as well as countless commercial missions that were accompanied by British government representatives. In addition, during her time in Mexico Macgregor led the promotion of the Olympic and Paralympics Games and represented the United Kingdom in events like the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun and the G20 Summit in Los Cabos.
Macgregor was also invited to write a regular column in the capital’s Excelsior newspaper, titled London Eye.
In her final column this week, she referred to her posting in Mexico as “one of the most important and gratifying of my diplomatic career.”
Macgregor wrote: “Today, Mexico is a different country to the one I encountered in 2009. Decisive political and macroeconomic decisions has made (Mexico) more resistant to global crises. The expansion of production, increase in exports and the development of a young and dynamic population has assured it a place among the world’s strongest economies.”
In one of her last official duties, Macgregor recently hosted a British Embassy reception to mark the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
The event showcased British innovation and technology. While the BBC showed images of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, companies such as Meridian Audio y Bowers & Wilkins displayed their high level audio, video and entertainment products.
Brands represented at the Mexico City reception included Lipton tea, Wedgwood porcelain, Weetabix, British Airways, Diageo drinks, Strongbow Cider, Walkers biscuits and Pepe Jeans London.
The British Council presented a series of posters as part of its 70th anniversary in Mexico. The posters consisted of the favorite word in English of eight Mexican celebrities, including soccer star Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, singer
Lila Downs and astronaut Rodolfo Neri Vela, among others.
The FCO has honorary consuls in the Mexican cities of Acapulco, Los Cabos, Tijuana and Cancun.