FOR many, a new year means a new job but for Bicester's Holly Tett, this has also meant travelling across the globe to become the United Kingdom's representative in Malawi.

Naomi Herring speaks to her about the new responsibilities.

Armed police storming her house was probably not quite how Holly Tett saw her time in Africa starting.

Fortunately, there was no need to panic as just several days into her role as High Commissioner in Malawi her two-year-old daughter had accidentally set off the panic alarm.

But her unique start to life overseas was an unintentional nod to Mrs Tett's family values that she is keen to take forward in her new job.

The Bicester-born mum-of-four said: "High commissioner is similar to the role of an ambassador, they are responsible for everything we do in Malawi and it is a real privilege to be the representative for our country in another.

"It is definitely a really proud moment for me and I hope to show that family is a big value to me as a leader.

"There is no escape from it with four young children trailing behind me."

The 37-year-old has moved out to the southeast Africa country with her explorer partner Mark Kalch, and their four young children aged between six months and six years.

This week will be her first in the role meeting with Malawi government officials in order to build upon the country's relationship with the UK.

It follows an extensive journey round the world in multiple roles with foreign office such as international relations including London, Ethiopia and Iraq.

The government role has also had a few perks for Mrs Tett meeting the likes of Colin Firth and Emma Thompson when working in developing countries.

But it all started from the family upbringing in Bicester and Mrs Tett's education at Headington Girls School.

She said: "My family lived in Chesterton and I went to Headington Girls School until I was about 13-years-old.

"Maybe not as adventurous as this move but our family moved to France for three years and it was a great opportunity to experience different cultures and languages. It helped build confidence and was something out of the ordinary.

"My parents still live in Chesterton now but it was a great experience and I am really grateful to them for it."

She added: "My family will always be a big part of what I do.

"The whole family has come over with me and our children will be starting school this week.

"In fact it was our second day in the country and my two year old managed to set off the panic alarm, all of a sudden the riot police were stampeding through our garden and my two year old heads out to chase them."

Mrs Tett will spend three years in the role with the opportunity to extend this to four and will be responsible for growing the relationship between the UK and Malawi.

The high commissioner said day-to-day responsibilities will include monitoring spending to ensure it is effective in helping develop the landlocked country, which has a population of 16 million, and get the best deals for British citizens.

She added: "I have always been interested in travel and leaving university I was keen to do something a bit different and travel around the world.

"I didn't really know too much about the foreign office but it was a great opportunity and has been such a rewarding job.

"There will be a sizeable changes that are Brexit related but I am quite happy to be on the sidelines with that.

"It definitely will have an impact as there is quite big EU representation here at the moment, which could change post Brexit such as the trade agreements we have with Africa which we may have to negotiate.

"It will be a challenging time representing ourselves in many ways but also a really exciting opportunity to look at everything and how to get the most for British citizens and tax payers."

She added: "I intend to make the most of every single day."