Mr Bruce Bucknell is the new British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata. He represents the UK in the 13 Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Mr Bucknell said: ‘I am delighted to have arrived in Kolkata. With my team, I cover 13 Indian states and the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. I relish the challenge of working to further the vibrant people-to-people links and deep business connections with eastern India. This is a fascinating part of India, and very diverse in culture, heritage, language, and geography. I expect to be busy!’
Before taking up his assignment in Kolkata, Mr Bucknell was Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Belarus from 2012-16. Previously, he was Deputy Head of Security in Estates and Security Directorate of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (2009-2011) and Deputy Head of the Joint FCO and Department for International Development’s Sudan Unit (2007-09).
He served as First Secretary in the British Embassy in Madrid from 2003-07, and his previous postings were in Milan (1995-99), and Amman (1988-91).
He studied modern history at Durham University, and takes a keen interest in the history of the places he visits.
He is married to Henrietta Dorrington-Ward; they have two sons.