Britain has a new Consul General in Hancock Park
EMILY CLOKE
British Consul General Emily Cloke is the latest representative from her country to call the 1928 Wallace Neff house in Hancock Park home.
“I feel privileged to live in a house that has been a symbol of the U.K.-U.S. relationship,” Cloke said of the June Street property purchased by the British Government in 1957. In fact, Cloke told the Chronicle last month over Zoom, she has come to love the neighborhood.
“Larchmont is incredibly green and welcoming. And as a ‘foodie,’ I have been to Jeni’s Ice Cream and Larchmont Wine and Cheese many times,” she said with a laugh. “And we’ve spent a lot of time at Chevalier’s Books.
“Larchmont is an amazing place,” said Cloke.
Having arrived in Los Angeles last fall with her husband Tony and a new toddler — Cloke was on maternity leave up until her new assignment began — she admits that getting set up in her new post hasn’t been the easiest due to the pandemic. “There is a different dynamic,” she says of the challenges that come with working around pandemic related restrictions. Still, she’s focused on the work at hand.
“What we do at the consulate is look for partnerships. We are looking for opportunities. I’m here to represent the U.K. and look for ways to work together,” said Cloke, who has an impressive background in diplomacy, law and trade issues. Having grown up in London, which she describes as “an amazing, global city with lots of multi-cultural influences,” Cloke studied law at Cambridge and started her career as a lawyer in the City of London. Her recent roles include as Deputy CEO for the UK-Africa Investment Summit hosted by the Prime Minister in 2020, and as a senior leader in the Department for International Trade’s Sectors Group, overseeing export and investment promotion.
When asked how she would like to leave her print on the role, Cloke notes that the U.K. is the second largest investor in Los Angeles. “The starting point is good,” said Cloke, adding that she still hopes to make “tangible progress” on several levels. She points to increasing investment into the U.K. film industry and work on climate initiatives as priorities.
THE ROOK was designed by U.S.-based British artist Andy Scott.
As an example of British culture currently on display, Cloke points to her own front lawn, where a 14-foot-high sculpture currently stands. Sculpted by U.S.-based, British artist Andy Scott, The Rook is a large-scale equine chess piece made of galvanized and powder-coated steel.
“One thing I am keen to do is increase our outreach with younger generations in Los Angeles,” said Cloke, noting that recent college graduates should consider applying for the Marshall Scholarships, which finance students of high ability to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom. Up to 50 students are selected each year. Deadline to apply is Sept. 28. Visit marshallscholarship.org for more information.
Category: People