British High Commissioner to Malawi enhances positive tradition of dialogue with Scotland-Malawi Partnership in Edinburgh – Maravi Express

July 14, 2026

British High Commissioner to Malawi, Leigh Stubblefield with some Scotland-Malawi Partnership Trustees

* Established by her predecessors, the annual meetings between the British High Commission and Scotland-Malawi civil society strengthen the long-standing economic collaboration between Scotland and Malawi

* Leigh shared her expertise and engaged in open discussions on key issues including health, education, climate, governance, food security, energy and economic development

By Duncan Mlanjira

Scotland-Malawi Partnership — the non-governmental umbrella network that coordinates and supports the historic, dignified ‘people-to-people’ relationship between Scotland and Malawi — highly applauds British High Commissioner to Malawi, Leigh Stubblefield, for enhancing the positive tradition of dialogue between the two institutions.

Advertisement

According to SMP website, the annual meetings between the British High Commission and Scotland-Malawi civil society were established by her predecessors to strengthen the long-standing economic collaboration between Scotland and Malawi.

SMP reports that Leigh shared her expertise and engaged in open discussions on key issues including health, education, climate, governance, food security, energy and economic development.

“Her depth of knowledge, openness and commitment to working with civil society made for a highly valuable exchange.

“We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with the British High Commission as we continue working together to support the long-standing partnership between Scotland and Malawi.”

SMP further indicates that they were impressed with “her breadth of knowledge, engagement with key issues, candour and interest in collaborating with civil society”.

“Previously the Deputy High Commissioner in Kenya and following a career in UK Government’s Department for International Development, Ms Stubblefield began her role in Malawi in January.

“Having been DFID’s Livelihoods Advisor in Lilongwe for three years from 2003, she was alert to what had changed and what has not in Malawi.”

The High Commissioner is reported to have had a first roundtable meeting with SMP Trustees last week in Edinburgh City Chambers and on Zoom, chaired by the SMP’s senior vice-chair, Susan Dalgety — through which SMP chair, Prof Jeremy Bagg, gave a brief overview from Blantyre, Malawi of the Scotland Malawi Partnership.

“Leigh volunteered that the SMP is unique and a valuable resource upon which she is very keen to draw,” says the report. “Discussion followed on a range of topics including aid cuts, debt, international loans and foreign exchange, productive income-generating sectors, mining and mineral assets, education, policing and protection of vulnerable groups, the climate emergency, energy and food security.

“The High Commissioner was also very open in the subsequent 90-minute hybrid meeting with SMP members, friends of the SMP and Malawi Scotland Partnership (MaSP) members.

Stubblefield is further said to have showed “in-depth knowledge of and referenced active engagement in a broad range of issues in support of the efforts of the Government of Malawi and others”.

“Whilst her own wide-ranging expertise was clear throughout, Leigh also invited valuable online contributions from Deputy High Commissioner Ben Nicholson who spoke from Lilongwe.

“In her summing up, SMP Trustee Prof Tracy Morse paid tribute to the broad range of topics with which the Commissioner had engaged at high level including health, forestry, agriculture, water, mining, climate, economics, governance, energy, education and ‘everything in-between’,” says the report.

Advertisement

Ahead of the XXIII Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026, the SMP encouraged its members to support the Malawi Queens netball team, saying: “The success of Team Malawi relies on the support of partners, sponsors and supporters both in Malawi and Scotland.”

The members were thus encouraged to volunteers by welcoming Team Malawi at Glasgow Airport and escort them to their hotel on July 15.

There will also be a preparatory friendly matches against Wales and Northern Ireland, which the SMP members are encouraged to support Malawi.

A picture of the Malawi Queens that goes with the report

“With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on the horizon, the SMP is excited to celebrate and support Team Malawi as athletes prepare to compete on the international stage.

“As the Games draw closer, this page will serve as a central hub for updates on Malawi’s participation, including confirmed fixtures, athlete news, opportunities to support the team and ways for SMP members to get involved.”

Malawi is set to compete in several sports disciplines at the Glasgow 2026 Games, showcasing the country’s talent and determination on the world stage — with the Queens being Centre of attraction.