Joanna Burke has been Regional Director China since August 2007.

She first visited China in the late 1970s, when she studied at Beijing Languages Institute (1979-1980).

Her first posting in China was as Assistant Director Beijing and Second Secretary (Cultural) of the British Embassy (1990-1995). She returned to China once again in 1999 as Director Shanghai, and Consul (Cultural) of the British Consulate in Shanghai (1999-2003).

Joanna's other overseas postings have included Argentina (Deputy Director 1995-1999) and Japan (Director Japan 2005-2007). Her posts in London have included Regional Director Americas and Australasia (2003-2004).