London, 13 April 2026 — The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission in London has welcomed the first cohort of Antiguan and Barbudan participants in The King's Foundation Building Craft Programme at a reception hosted by the mission.
The programme was developed through close collaboration between The King's Foundation, the High Commission, and the Antigua and Barbuda Centre for Advanced Studies. It will expose participants to specialised training in traditional and sustainable construction techniques, including heritage restoration and conservation. Its long-term value to Antigua and Barbuda lies in strengthening local technical capacity, supporting the preservation of national heritage, and preparing a skilled generation of nationals to contribute to restoration and development efforts at home.
High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill challenged participants to make full use of the opportunity — cold weather notwithstanding. "I had the opportunity to visit Dumfries House in Scotland to meet the team there as we worked on developing this concept," she said. "This will be a unique and valuable opportunity for learning, sharing and development. I challenge you all to embrace this with discipline, openness and creativity even as you consider how these enhanced skills can benefit not just you professionally but also the Nation of Antigua and Barbuda."
Jeremy Cross, Director of International Engagement for The King's Foundation, attended the reception and expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. "We are pleased to welcome these gifted individuals to The King's Foundation training sites as they continue to develop their skills in heritage building crafts and climate-resilient construction," he said. "We look forward to working with them all and exchanging knowledge and approaches throughout the programme."
The High Commission acknowledged the contributions of Second Secretary Brent Scotland and Third Secretary Caleb Gardiner, whose coordination efforts were instrumental in arranging the visit.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission stated their continued commitment to expanding opportunities for nationals through strategic partnerships that advance national development.
