HE Mr Michael Eng Cheng TEO was appointed Singapore's High Commissioner to the Court of St. James's. He is concurrently accredited as Ambassador to Ireland. Prior to his present appointment, High Commissioner Teo served as Singapore’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea from 1996 to 2001 and as High Commissioner to New Zealand from 1994 to 1996.

High Commissioner Teo was born in East Malaysia on 19 September 1947. He received his early education in St Patrick's School in Singapore. High Commissioner Teo graduated from Auburn University, USA, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Economics. He obtained his Master of Arts degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, USA.

Before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1992, High Commissioner Teo was the Chief of Air Force in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). He joined the RSAF in 1968 and won his flying brevet from the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1969. Later, he graduated from the Pilot Attack Instructor course conducted by the RAF. As a fighter pilot, he was also a graduate of the United States Fighter Weapons Instructor course. High Commissioner Teo graduated as a Distinguished Graduate from the United States Air Force (USAF) War College in 1985.

During his career in the RSAF, High Commissioner Teo rose from Squadron Commander to Commander of the RSAF in 1985. When the designation was changed, High Commissioner Teo was re-appointed Chief of Air Force in 1990. He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General in July 1987.

In his 12 years in the headquarters, High Commissioner Teo was instrumental in seeing through the development of the Air Force, introducing new weapon programmes like the F-16 fighters, EC2 Airborne Early Warning System and the Improved Hawk Missile system in the RSAF. High Commissioner Teo has also served on the Board of the Singapore Aerospace Industries and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

During his career in the RSAF, High Commissioner Teo received various honours and awards, among them the Singapore Public Administration Medal (Gold)(Military) in 1989. High Commissioner Teo has also been awarded the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand in 1981, the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Philippines in 1989, the Bintang Swa Bhuana Paksa Utama from Indonesia in 1991 and the Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) from the United States in 1991.

High Commissioner Teo is married to Joyce and has two children, Christine and Gabriel.