Appointment of New British High Commissioner to New Zealand

Ms Louise Cantillon has been appointed as the British High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor of the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands. She succeeds Ms Iona Thomas OBE, who has transitioned to a different role within the Diplomatic Service. Ms Cantillon is set to commence her new position in August 2026.

Professional Background

Louise Marie Cantillon brings a wealth of experience to her new role, as evidenced by her impressive career trajectory. From 2021 until 2026, she served as the British Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner for the Asia Pacific region, specifically overseeing Australia and New Zealand from her base in Sydney.

Prior to her tenure in Sydney, Ms Cantillon was stationed in Shanghai, where she held the position of Minister Counsellor for Creative Consumer and Education at the British Consulate from 2020 to 2021. Her earlier role in the city from 2018 to 2020 saw her lead the Infrastructure and Creative Industries sector at the British Consulate, further demonstrating her expertise in fostering international relations and trade.

Significant Roles and Contributions

Ms Cantillon’s career also includes a notable period at the British Council from 2011 to 2018, where she was the Head of the Project Management Office and a Senior Asset Manager for Asia. Additionally, she gained valuable experience as a Construction Project Manager at Gleeds UK from 2008 to 2011, which contributed to her understanding of infrastructure development.

Earlier in her career, she worked with Polartech Ltd as Chief Representative in major Chinese cities including Shanghai, Suzhou, and Beijing from 2004 to 2011. Her role as China Trade Manager at the Manchester Chamber of Commerce from 2002 to 2004, as well as her position as a Commercial Officer at the British Embassy in Beijing from 1998 to 2002, further solidified her extensive knowledge of trade relations between the UK and China.

Contact for Media Inquiries

For any media inquiries regarding Ms Cantillon’s appointment or related matters, please reach out via email to newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk or contact the FCDO Newsdesk by telephone at 020 7008 3100. The newsdesk is monitored around the clock to ensure a prompt response to all enquiries.