Paul Rennie is British Consul General. Based in Los Angeles, he is the senior representative of the U.K .government in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Hawaii, and the U.S. Territories of American Samoa, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands.

His role includes the promotion of trade and investment, scientific cooperation, tackling climate change, creative and media collaborations and educational partnerships between the U.K. and the U.S. Southwest. He also oversees delivery of essential consular services to a 600,000-strong British resident community and British visitors.

Paul previously served at the British Embassy in Washington DC, leading the Trade and Global Issues Group. Prior to that, and in addition to his London roles, he has had postings at the United Nations (New York), Brazil, India and Malaysia, as well as working on secondment to the Cabinet Office and the Department for International Development.

Paul is a professional economist and was the first Diplomatic Service Economist recruited in 2001. He has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Heriot-Watt University for services to U.K. education overseas. He was appointed Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to U.K.-India relations.

Paul speaks English, Portuguese, Dutch, French, Hindi, and is learning Spanish.