UK appoints new Ambassador to Georgia

The United Kingdom (UK) Government has appointed its new Ambassador to Georgia.

Justin McKenzie Smith will replace Ms Alexandra Hall Hall in the role of British Ambassador to Georgia.

He will begin his appointment in late-August 2016 and remain in the job for four years, stated the UK Government’s official webpage. 

Before now Smith took up his position as Deputy Head of Mission and Director for Trade and Investment at the British Embassy in Mexico City in July 2011. 

Prior to moving to Mexico, he was Deputy Director responsible for the UK’s relations with Russia, the South Caucasus and Central Asia in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

 From 2004-2008, Smith was the spokesperson for the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York and a member of the UK’s Security Council team. 

He also served in the British Embassy in Moscow in the second half of the 1990s. In London, Smith also worked on European Union, human rights and press issues.  

The new Ambassador joined the UK’s Diplomatic Service in 1994. He is a graduate of Oxford and Edinburgh Universities.