Ex-Penwortham Girls High pupil named as Britain's top diplomat in USA

A former pupil of Penwortham Girls school pupil has been appointed as the UK's ambassador to America.
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Dame Karen Pierce , currently Ambassador to the UN in New York and Permanent Representative at the UN Security Council, has been appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America.

Dame Karen is an alumni of Penwortham when it was a girls grammar school.

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"We have a fantastic cross-Government team across the US and I look forward to working with them to strengthen and even further deepen the special relationship between our two countries and peoples."

She was appointed on the recommendation of foreign secretary Dominic Raab.

Known for her flamboyant dress sense, Dame Karen has worked for the foreign office since leaving university in 1981 and is regarded as having a "proven ability" in the field.

Mr Raab said: "It is a time of huge opportunity for the friendship between the UK and US and I am delighted that Karen Pierce will take forward this exciting new chapter in our relationship. We’re proud to be sending to Washington such an outstanding diplomat, and I warmly congratulate her on her appointment.

Former Penwortham Girls High school pupil has been appointed as the UK's ambassador to the USFormer Penwortham Girls High school pupil has been appointed as the UK's ambassador to the US
Former Penwortham Girls High school pupil has been appointed as the UK's ambassador to the US
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Dame Karen will take up her appointment after obtaining the United States’ formal agrément - a specialized term in the field of international affairs that refers to the agreement by a state to receive members of a diplomatic mission from a foreign country.

During her 40-year career, she worked across the globe, including stints in Tokyo and New York.