Jane Caroline Owen (born 15 April 1963[1]) is a British politician and diplomat. She is the current Governor of the Cayman Islands and the second woman to hold this position.[2] She had previously served as the British ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein and the British ambassador to Norway.

Jane Owen
Governor of the Cayman Islands
Assumed office
21 April 2023
MonarchCharles III
PremierWayne Panton
Juliana O'Connor-Connolly
Preceded byMartyn Roper
British Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
In office
2018–2023
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
Prime Minister
Preceded byDavid Moran
Succeeded byJames Squire
British Ambassador to Norway
In office
2010–2014
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterDavid Cameron
Preceded byDavid Powell
Succeeded bySarah Gillett
Personal details
Born
Jane Caroline Owen

(1963-04-15) 15 April 1963 (age 61)
Bilston, Staffordshire, England
Alma materTrinity College, Cambridge

Career

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Owen was born in Bilston and educated at Ellerslie School in Malvern (now merged with Malvern College) and Trinity College, Cambridge. After graduating in 1986, she taught English in Japan as part of the JET Programme. In 1987, she entered the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). After Japanese language training in 1988–90, she worked at the Tokyo embassy in 1990–93 and then was seconded to the Department of Trade and Industry as head of the Exports to Japan Unit in 1993–96. She returned to the FCO in 1996–98 and was then posted to Hanoi as deputy head of mission in 1998–2002. She returned to Tokyo as director of trade promotion in 2002–06, then was posted to New Delhi as director of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in India in 2006–10. She was British ambassador to Norway 2010–14, chief operating officer of UKTI in London 2014–16, then was appointed ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and concurrently non-resident ambassador to the Principality of Liechtenstein.[1][3] She was chosen to be the Cayman Islands Governor. She arrived in Cayman and was sworn in on 21st April 2023.[2][4][5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Owen, Jane Caroline. Who's Who. 1 December 2017. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.44026.
  2. ^ a b "Change of Governor of the Cayman Islands: Jane Owen". GOV.UK. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Jane Owen, British Ambassador to Switzerland and to Liechtenstein". gov.uk. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Governor Designate to Arrive April 21". www.gov.ky. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Governor Owen Welcomed to Cayman". www.gov.ky. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
David Powell
British Ambassador to Norway
2010–2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by
David Moran
British Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
2017–2023
Succeeded by
James Squire
Government offices
Preceded by
Jon Harding
Chief Operating Officer, UK Trade and Investment, London
2014–2016
UKTI replaced by Department for International Trade
Preceded by Governor of the Cayman Islands
2023–present
Incumbent