speaker-photo

Mr. Andrew Fleming

British Dy High Commissioner
Andrew Fleming serves as the British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata. His distinguished career in the British Civil Service spans nearly four decades, with a focus on international relations and diplomacy. Prior to his current role, Fleming held the position of British Deputy High Commissioner to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for five years. He then briefly served as Officer on Special Temporary Duty in Bengaluru before returning to London. There, he played a key role in supporting the visit of Indian Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar for the King's Coronation. Throughout his tenure in India, Fleming has been instrumental in fostering UK-India relations. His work encompasses promoting bilateral trade, facilitating academic partnerships, and strengthening cultural ties. He has been particularly active in initiatives such as Swachch Bharat, leading clean-up efforts in Hyderabad. As a senior diplomat, Fleming has championed various social causes, including community cohesion, interfaith dialogue, women's rights, anti-trafficking efforts, child protection, media literacy, and youth empowerment. His passion for Indian heritage has occasionally led him to conduct walking tours in Hyderabad. Fleming maintains an active social media presence, sharing his experiences and affection for India across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Koo under the handle @andrew007UK. With a career that began in 1986, Fleming has held diverse roles both in the UK and internationally. He has lived in Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria, and his work has taken him to 117 countries worldwide. His expertise extends to international migration, community cohesion, and faith-related policies. Fleming has also served as an election observer in Ghana (2008) and Nigeria (2015).