This week we saw the end of term for His Majesty’s Consul Genera
l to the US South West and Hawaii, Emily Cloke’s in the Los Angeles British Consulate. Emily started her 4 year posting in September
2020, relocating to Los Angeles from London in September 2020 with her husband and new born baby and created a sense of community among the team and wider British population right from the get-go.
It was also Emily who personally oversaw the hiring of the San Diego based Head of Government Office role. Emily was a tireless champion for British citizens and companies in San Diego as well as an ardent supporter of trade between California and the United Kingdom. We shall always be grateful to her for launching the BABCSD on the international stage at British Airways double daily SD flight sponsored reception.
Thank you Emily for your service, and best wishes for your future endeavors from your friends at the British American Business Council San Diego.
Below is a letter from Emily as she bids farewell to California.
Dear BABC San Diego Member.
After 4 wonderful years as His Majesty’s Consul General for the
US South West and Hawaii, my term comes to an end in August 2024. It has been an honour to represent the UK in such a dynamic part of the world and work closely with US partners to strengthen the UK-US relationship economically, culturally and diplomatically.
I want to thank the British American Business Chamber San Diego –
its board and members – for wonderful partnership and dedication during this time. It was wonderful that there is now a new San Diego Chapter, and I was delighted to attend your launch event in San Diego earlier this year.
Highlights during my time as Consul General include the UK this year becoming the largest foreign investor in the State of California by number of jobs created; many wonderful visits to San Diego, as well as across the US South West and Hawaii, to progress partnerships; signing Economic Memorandums of Understanding with the City of Los Angeles and State of Utah; championing UK-US partnerships in the creative industries; and laying the groundwork for longer term opportunities like the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
I have been proud to champion and embed the UK’s values throughout our work and activities. Wonderful initiatives I have been proud to champion include partnering with Northern Irish Charity Cinemagic to make a film in a California School on tackling climate change; our first Black Founders Trade Mission to California; championing Gender equity through a series of networking events and initiatives, and more.
I also want to pay tribute to the large and vibrant British community in San Diego, who play an incredible role across all parts of society. Brits are leaders in business, academia, science, social and community issues, creative industries, policy and more. You have been wonderful to partner with, and I have been proud to see what you all accomplish. I am so pleased we have Emily Cowley based in San Diego as the UK Government Office lead.
From a personal perspective, the US will always have a special place in my heart. My daughter has grown from a 1 year old to a 5 year old with a lovely British-American blended accent, epitomising the UK-US special relationship.
Thanks again for all that you do.
Kind regards
Emily Cloke
British Consul General
