HE Laurence BeauFrench Ambassador to New Zealand

Laurence Beau is a graduate of the Paris Institute of Political Studies « Sciences Po Paris » with a master’s degree in English language, culture and economics from the University of the Sorbonne.

Diplomatic Career

A 30 year career diplomat, Mrs Beau was first assigned to the Directorate of Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1992 to 1995.

She then held two embassy posts in Latin America, in Panama as Deputy Head of Mission as well as Head of the Culture, Science and Cooperation Service from 1995 to 1998, and in Mexico as Political Advisor from 1998 to 2001.

Mme Beau was then appointed Deputy Head of Mission in the Seychelles from 2001 to 2002, before returning to France in Paris from 2002 to 2007, where she worked in the Economic Affairs Department and then in the Human Resources Department.

She then pursued her diplomatic career in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, first in Australia as Senior Political Advisor from 2007 to 2011 and then in Singapore as Deputy Head of Mission from 2012 to 2016.

Mme Laurence Beau returned to Paris in 2017 where she worked in the Financial Affairs Department until 2019, before being posted as Ambassador of France to Botswana, and Special Representative to SADC (Southern African Development Community).

Honours

Mrs Beau was appointed Knight of the Ordre National du Mérite in 2016 and elevated to the rank of Knight of the Légion d’Honneur in 2021.