The UK government has announced that David Cairns will be its next ambassador in Buenos Aires.
Cairns, 56, will formally assume the role of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Argentine Republic in September 2025, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said in a press release.
He replaces the departing Kirsty Hayes, who “will be transferring to another diplomatic service appointment,” said the release.
Like the current post-holder, Cairns – a former UK ambassador to Sweden – brings extensive diplomatic and corporate experience to the role.
He joined the FCDO in 1993, serving in Japan as a commercial secretary and later in Geneva as head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Section. He has also held several London-based positions, including FCDO director for estates and security.
From 2015 to 2019, Cairns served as the UK’s envoy in Sweden and as director of the Nordic Baltic Network.
After leaving the diplomatic service, he joined Equinor, Norway’s state-owned energy giant, as vice-president for political and public affairs. From 2020 to 2024, he also served as an independent board director at the G.A. Group design studio, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Cairns is likely to have gained considerable insight into Argentina during his time with Equinor. The firm, one of the world’s largest offshore energy operators, has been active in the country since 2017 and maintains offices in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires.
According to its website, Equinor holds exploration rights for both offshore and onshore projects in Argentina, including in the Vaca Muerta region.
However, Bloomberg recently reported that the company is considering exiting the country and has held talks with state energy firm YPF over a possible sale of its shale oil assets.
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