AFTER five years as the British ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Hugh Elliott has bid farewell in an emotional goodbye video message as he prepares to return to London.
Alex Ellis, a former High Commissioner to India and British ambassador to Brazil and Portugal, will take up the role as the UK’s man in Madrid following Elliott’s departure.
In a video posted on social media, the outgoing ambassador, 59, reflected on a ‘turbulent’ time in a role which he has held since August 2019.
Over his five years as British ambassador, Elliott has experienced Brexit negotiations, the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022, the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the coronation of King Charles III, two Spanish general elections, two UK general elections and a change in government.
“Five turbulent but fantastic years”, said Elliott in a pre-recorded message posted on Wednesday, the day he and his family returned to the UK.
“Spain is an exceptional country and the relationship between our countries, between our people, is an exceptional relationship”, he added.
“Spain is such a welcoming nation and I have had the enormous privilege to represent my country here over these years. I have been able to visit almost every province in Spain”.
Reflecting on his proudest moment, Elliott jokingly said it was to have lost weight since arriving despite Spain’s ‘marvellous gastronomy’.
On his final day in Madrid, Elliott ran over 20km in the scorching Madrileño sunshine to complete a charitable challenge to run 1000 kilometres in his last 100 days in Madrid.
He is raising funds for a Spanish charity which searches for a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). His target is €10,000.
Elliott, who took over from Simon Manley, will be transferred to another Diplomatic Service appointment.
His replacement in Madrid, Sir Alex Ellis, is a former High Commissioner to India who has ambassadorial experience in Brazil and Portugal.
He spent two years in Madrid between 2003 and 2005 as a Counsellor at the British Embassy on EU and Global Issues before becoming an adviser to the President of the European Commission.
Ellis, 56, is married and has one son. He will assume the role of Ambassador to Spain and Andorra next week.
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