British High Commissioner Robert Haydon Vernon Luke presented his letter of commission to President George Abela this morning at the Palace in Valletta.

Soon after the ceremony he said:

“I am honoured to represent the United Kingdom in Malta. The privilege is all the greater because of the strength of the relationship between our countries. I look forward to building on our past co-operation and to working in partnership with the Maltese authorities as we respond together to new challenges.

“The relationship is a dynamic and hugely valuable one, both bilaterally and in the EU, Commonwealth and other international other organisations.”

“My family and I are eager to explore Malta and to get to know the islands and the Maltese people. We are delighted to be here and grateful for the warm welcome we have received.”

Mr Luke joined the British Diplomatic Service in 2000 after working for the UK’s Millennium Commission.

He served at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London, working on the Middle East Peace Process.

In 2002 he was seconded to the Brazilian Diplomatic Institute before serving for three years as Political and Press Officer at the British Embassy in Brasilia.

He returned to the FCO in London in 2005 as Head of the War Crimes Section in the International Organisations Department

In 2008 he was seconded to the French Immigration Ministry, and then served for four years as Counsellor for Justice and Home Affairs at the British Embassy in Paris.

Mr Luke is married to Louise and they have one daughter and two sons. He enjoys sports, particularly football.