Former John Kyrle High School pupil, Melanie Hopkins has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji, non-resident High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Tonga, the Republic of Kiribati, to Tuvalu and non-resident Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia.

Ms Hopkins will succeed Mr Roderick Drummond, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. She will additionally be Head of the South Pacific Network, leading the UK’s engagement with the region. Ms Hopkins will take up her appointment during September 2016.

Ms Hopkins also attended Bridstow School and still has family in the Ross-on-Wye area. The High Commissioner is the Commonwealth equivalent to an Ambassador and Ms Hopkins will be the first female head of mission in Fiji.