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The Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda in London |
Contact
Address
2nd Floor, 45 Crawford Place, London, W1H 4LP
Phone Number
020 7258 0070
Website
www.antigua-barbuda.com
The Ambassador
H.E. Mr. Carlos Mario Foradori
H.E. Ms. Karen-Mae Hill is an extraordinarily dynamic and highly celebrated figure within Caribbean and Commonwealth diplomacy. Appointed to the Court of St James's in late 2015, she made history as both the youngest person and the first female to ever hold this top diplomatic post for Antigua and Barbuda.
A barrister by profession, High Commissioner Hill is a Rhodes Scholar who earned her MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Oxford (St. Peter's College) and her law degree from the University of Leicester. Prior to her diplomatic deployment, she spent over 15 years as a legal expert and executive in the banking and financial services sectors across the UK and the Eastern Caribbean. Her outstanding performance in London earned her the prestigious Diplomat of the Year for North America and the Caribbean award in 2023, and she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to youth and community development. Concurrently serving as the President of Women in Diplomacy in London and a member of the Commonwealth's Board of Governors, she commands immense strategic authority across the capital.
History
The diplomatic blueprint of Antigua and Barbuda in London is shaped by its deep historical ties to the British Crown, its proactive role within the Commonwealth, and its leadership role as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) facing the forefront of global climate changes.
The High Commission in London serves as the primary pipeline for driving bilateral trade, tourism, and financial statecraft between St. John’s and Whitehall. Historically, the mission has punched far above its weight, becoming a vital global advocate for addressing the economic vulnerabilities of small island states, pioneering green technology transitions, and securing international investments into the Blue Economy. Under High Commissioner Hill's visionary leadership, the mission established the highly successful annual Antigua and Barbuda–UK Business Forum and has been instrumental in spearheading the development of the Centre for Oceanography and the Blue Economy at the University of the West Indies. In addition, the High Commission maintains an intensive focus on cultural and youth diplomacy, founding the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra and driving cricket exchange programs with elite British clubs.
