The United Kingdom has appointed Ms Sarah Catherine Cooke as the new British Commissioner to Bangladesh, according to an official announcement of the UK Government on Wednesday.

She will replace Robert Chatterton Dickson, who has been serving as British High Commissioner in Dhaka since March 2019.

Previously, she served in Bangladesh as Head of Department for International Development (DFID), Bangladesh Office during 2012 to 2016.     

Ms Cooke, responsible for representing the United Kingdom and leading across the British Government’s priorities in Bangladesh, will take up her appointment during April/May 2023.

Sarah Catherine Cooke is currently serving as the Head of South East Asia Department of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of the UK Government

She served as British High Commissioner in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 2016 to 2020, Head, Bangladesh Office in the Department for International Development (DFID) from 2012 to 2016, DFID, Head, Growth and Resilience Department from 2010 to 2012, DFID, Head, Aid Effectiveness and Accountability Department from 2007 to 2010, DFID, Team Leader, International Division Advisory Department from 2005 to 2007, DFID, Deputy Head, Commission for Africa Secretariat from 2004 to 2005.

Cooke in her long distinguished career, also served as Senior Energy Adviser, Aviation, Energy and Maritime Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth office, Cabinet Office, Deputy Director, Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, Ministry of Trade, Foreign Trade Adviser (ODI Fellow) Guyana, Ministry of Commerce, Adviser (ODI Fellow), Solomon Islands and PricewaterhouseCoopers, Economic Consultant.