NEWLY appointed British High Commissioner to Guyana Joseph Fisher has signalled his intention to deepen ties between the United Kingdom and Guyana, declaring that he is “committed to further strengthening the modern partnership between the United Kingdom (UK) and Guyana.”
In remarks following his arrival, Fisher said, “I’m delighted to be here in Georgetown,” while thanking those he met “over these first few days for their warm welcome to this beautiful country.”
The envoy confirmed that he has already presented his credentials to President Dr. Irfaan Ali and is eager to begin his work.
“Now it’s time to hit the ground running,” he said, noting that he has started engaging with UK-backed initiatives locally.
Fisher highlighted early engagements with British-supported projects, explaining that he has been “meeting UK companies delivering key infrastructure projects in partnership with the Government of Guyana and supported by UK Export Finance.”
He also spoke of his early experiences exploring the country, including a visit along the Mahaica River where he observed Guyana’s biodiversity.
“I’ve also had my first glimpse of Guyana’s extraordinary biodiversity… where I had my first encounter with Guyana’s national bird, the Canje Pheasant” he said.
Fisher added that he has been sampling local cuisine, noting he has tried “fish choka, beef soup, boulanger, to mauby juice,” and expressed enthusiasm about discovering more of Guyana in the coming weeks.
He succeeds Jane Miller, who previously served as the UK’s top diplomat in Georgetown.
Guyana and the United Kingdom established official diplomatic relations in 1966 following Guyana’s independence.
According to GOV.UK, Fisher assumed office as British High Commissioner to Guyana in April 2026. He also serves as Non-Resident Ambassador-Designate to the Republic of Suriname and Ambassador-Designate to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Prior to his posting in Georgetown, Fisher worked at 10 Downing Street as Private Secretary to the National Security Adviser from 2024 to 2025.
He previously held the position of Deputy Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary between 2022 and 2024, and served in the Cabinet Office National Security Secretariat from 2020 to 2022.
His earlier diplomatic career includes several roles within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, including assignments in the Europe Directorate in London, the British Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar, and with the NATO Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Outside of government service, Fisher worked as International Development Liaison Officer in the Office of Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar between 2014 and 2017. He later served as Policy Director at the conflict resolution non-governmental organisation Inter Mediate in London.
Fisher holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from University of Cambridge. He subsequently attended Harvard University as a Herchel Smith Fellow and held an Honorary Research Fellowship at Imperial College London. He is also a graduate of the UK Defence Academy’s Higher Command and Staff Course