After nearly 36 years with the British Council, spanning 12 postings across 10 countries on three continents, Peter Brown has stepped down as Director Scotland.
Peter’s international journey began with a summer job in Germany between his fifth and sixth years at Dunfermline High School. Working in a fast-food restaurant in southern Germany gave him his first real taste of life abroad. That experience sparked his "travel bug" and led him to study German at St Andrews and an MBA Heriot-Watt before joining the British Council in 1989.
We sat down with Peter to discuss his career with the British Council, which took him from the Canary Islands to Venezuela, Hungary to Nigeria, Mozambique to Brazil, Uganda to Ethiopia, and Serbia, before finally bringing him home to Scotland.
How do you think the British Council has changed in the last thirty years?
Peter:
"The British Council has always been about building connections, understanding and trust. That's as true now as it was in 1989. It's clearer now that all parts of the British Council contribute to that wider mission - teaching, exams, programmes research and insight, professional services. There’s also much greater diversity in the organisation, and that's a good thing, though recognising there's still some way to go."
Any career highlights that stand out?
Peter:
"It’s impossible to pick just one, I have been very lucky with all my postings, genuinely privileged. That said, each posting contains indelible personal memories.
"An education programme in the Balkans stands out as transformational. On taking up post in the Balkans, I became the lead for FCDO-funded ‘Media for All’ programme, which provided independent media outlets across the Western Balkans with expert mentoring, training and support so they engage more effectively with their audiences. That feels important in an age of misinformation and disinformation.
"In Ethiopia, two large-scale client-funded programmes I was involved in stand out: the Civil Society Support Programme, which helped support Ethiopia's emerging civil society, and the Quality Education Strategic Support programme which enhanced the capacity of the education sector in Ethiopia to improve outcomes for learners through building capacity and enhancing policy dialogue.
"Meeting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Abuja is a bit of highlight too - I spent about three months organising their thirty-minute visit to office, but it turned out to be such fun.
"These and many, many more. But these of course are not my 'achievements' alone: the British Council is an extraordinary organisation with extraordinary people doing extraordinary things together."
And your greatest professional challenges?
Peter:
“Again, it’s difficult to say. I delivered a change programme in Rio shortly after the 2008 financial crash. Also in Ethiopia, the 2019 Social Enterprise World Forum was a multi-layered, international series of events with a range of partners bringing together 1,300 international delegates from over 70 countries.
In the Western Balkans, where I started as Country Director on the day the Serbian Government declared a state of emergency because of the pandemic, and shortly after that it became clear the big task was to deliver a significant change programme - while helping to deliver multi-million-pound client-funded contracts”.
How does it feel to be completing this journey from that first job in Germany to leading British Council Scotland?
Peter:
"Prior to coming back to Scotland, despite often visiting family and friends, I was expecting a degree of 'reverse culture shock', but that didn't happen, and it felt seamless. Colleagues and partners made me feel very welcome. There is so much going on in Scotland in the arts and education spaces that I didn't really have any option but to hit the ground running, so that's what I did, and I have enjoyed every minute.
"Completing that professional journey in my home city has been the proverbial cherry on the cake - not many get to do that, and it has been brilliant to close my British Council career back home in Scotland after almost 40 years”.
"Scotland has always been an outward-looking nation, rightly proud of its educational and cultural assets, and having a part in sharing this story with the UK and the world has been a real highlight.
"Over the last two years, I've been privileged to be part of some fantastic initiatives. The Going Global Conference returning to Edinburgh in 2023 was special - 400 delegates from 44 countries, right back where it all started in 2004. We've also launched our first-ever Language Trends Scotland report this year, which has really opened important conversations about modern language learning.
“The Momentum programme during the Edinburgh Festivals has been brilliant to be involved with - since 2011, it's brought over 700 international delegates to Edinburgh, and you can see the lasting impact with work being presented by arts organisations in countries like India, Mexico, and New Zealand.
"What's been particularly rewarding is seeing programmes like our UN COP school debates at the University of Edinburgh – and our Schools Connect projects bringing young people together to tackle global challenges, connecting across Scotland and with countries like Ukraine and India.
"Through Celtic Connections and Showcase Scotland, we’ve helped introduce international delegates to the Scottish music sector. It's been wonderful to be part of initiatives that really showcase what Scotland has to offer while building those global connections."
What have you learnt about building trust and understanding that you'd share with future British Council leaders?
Peter:
“I feel incredibly lucky to have had the career I have had, to have lived and worked in so many different countries and cultures. I believe success in this role hinges on understanding mutuality and demonstrating respect. My biggest piece of advice is to approach conversations with a curious mind, asking what we can learn from each other. Look for a way of building a connection and breaking the ice, be it through football, humour, or the weather, and don't take yourself too seriously."
Looking ahead, what are the key opportunities and challenges facing international cultural relations?
Peter:
"It’s become a truism to say that this volatile, fractious, conflict-ridden world needs more of international cultural relations than ever before. But it is the case. We do need to keep looking for these opportunities to engage, to learn from each other, to understand each other.
“Building connections through education and culture remains a powerful way to make the world a safer place, and that's what the British Council is brilliant at. The challenge remains making sure that international cultural relations work continues to be valued and resourced properly, that it continues to be seen as essential."
