New ambassadors to Sweden

The ambassadors from the United Kingdom, Iceland, South Africa, and Bosnia and Herzegovina presented their letters of credence to HM The King on Wednesday 23 September 2015 in a formal audience at the Royal Palace. A letter of credence is an authorisation issued by an ambassador’s head of state. By presenting letters of credence to Sweden’s head of state, the ambassador can, from today, fully represent his or her country in Sweden.

H.E. The Ambassador of South Africa on her way to the Royal Palace. Photo: Johan Tegel, Government Offices of Sweden

H.E. Mr David Cairns, United Kingdom

The newly appointed Ambassador of the United Kingdom, David Cairns, has served in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since 1993. Ambassador Cairns has worked with trade matters for large parts of his career. In recent years he has held the following posts:

2010–2014: Director of Corporate Services, Estates and Security, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

2006–2010: Director of Trade and Investment at the Embassy in Tokyo.

2002–2006: Head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Section at the Delegation in Geneva.

H.E. Ms Estrid Brekkan, Iceland

Iceland’s newly appointed Ambassador Estrid Brekkan was born in 1954 and has served in the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs since 1974. She holds a degree in Political Science from University of Maryland University College. In recent years she has held the following posts:

2013–2015: Director, International Organisations and Human Rights at the Directorate for International and Security Affairs in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and Deputy Director General of the Directorate.

2008–2013: Minister Counsellor at the Embassy in Paris.

2005–2008: Counsellor at the Embassy in Oslo.

H.E. Ms Faith Doreen Radebe, South Africa

The newly appointed Ambassador of South Africa, Faith Doreen Radebe, was born in 1952 and has many years of experience in the South African State Security Agency. She holds a diploma in journalism and has also studied law. In recent years she has held the following posts:

2010–2015: Inspector-General of Intelligence.

2006–2010: Ambassador to Jamaica.

2003–2006: Legal Specialist at the South African State Security Agency.

H.E. Ms Vesna Čužić, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The newly appointed ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vesna Ćužić, was born in 1962 and has not previously served in the country’s foreign service. In recent years she has held the following posts:

1997–2015: President of International God-Parenthood for the Herzeg-Bosnian Child.

1995–1997: Marketing and sales in a local company.

1992–1995: English language teacher at upper secondary level.