Richard Hugh Montgomery has been announced as the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria, according to a statement released by the United Kingdom government on Tuesday.

His appointment is set to commence in April 2023. Montgomery will succeed Catriona Laing, who has been serving as the UK’s representative in Nigeria since 2018.

Laing, in turn, will be reassigned to another diplomatic service appointment. The high commissioner plays a crucial role as the UK government’s representative in a Commonwealth nation, overseeing the consulate’s activities, including political relations, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.

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Montgomery has a PhD in social anthropology from the University of Cambridge and has served in various executive development roles in Zambia, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.

He was the UK Executive Director for the World Bank Group in Washington before this appointment. From 2009-2013, he served as the counsellor (development) and Head of Office at the Department for International Development, Abuja.