British High Commissioner welcomes new Resident British Commissioners to Region

(British High Commission Bridgetown Press Release) Earlier this week, the British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Her Excellency Janet Douglas, hosted a reception in Bridgetown to collectively welcome the UK’s new Resident British Commissioners to the region.

They were appointed after the UK government announced plans for a major expansion of its global diplomatic network – opening nine new offices across the Commonwealth. Three of these new missions will based in the Eastern Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Now in place since their arrivals between August and October 2019, the new Resident British Commissioners (RBCs) are in Barbados for a week of cross-government workshops and briefings at the network’s head office. The RBCs will report to the British High Commission in Bridgetown and to Mrs Douglas, who remains accredited as the British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

These new posts join our pre-existing offices in Barbados and St Lucia, giving the UK physical representation in five of the seven countries covered by the Bridgetown and Eastern Caribbean network.

Speaking from her official residence to the large reception gathering, High Commissioner Janet Douglas said:

“The UK’s work and cooperation across the region will be enhanced by the opening of our new offices in the Eastern Caribbean. Regular regional engagement helps to further our shared objectives and advance the priorities of the 53 Commonwealth member states, particularly in smaller nations like those of the Eastern Caribbean.

I am pleased to introduce our four Resident British Commissioners who will assist the UK, Commonwealth and region with this work.”

The UK-Eastern Caribbean network’s full complement of Resident British Commissioners is now:

· Lindsy Thompson – Antigua and Barbuda

· Wendy Freeman – Grenada

· Steve McCready – St Lucia

· Steve Moore – St Vincent and the Grenadines

Notes to Editors

· In April 2018, the then Foreign Secretary and now Prime Minister, Boris Johnson announced the expansion of the UK’s diplomatic network with the opening of nine new posts in the Commonwealth. The new missions expands the UK’s diplomatic network from operating in 38 to 47 Commonwealth countries.

· Opening new diplomatic offices in Commonwealth countries demonstrates the government’s vision for the UK, as we leave the European Union. We will be open, inclusive, outward facing and free trading.

· The Commonwealth is important to the UK. We are bound together by shared values of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights. These are key themes that underpin the UK Government’s Caribbean strategy. By increasing our diplomatic network the UK will work with the Commonwealth to promote prosperity, democracy and peace and tackle climate change

· We are pleased to introduce you to the three new Resident British Commissioners who are leading the new British High Commissions as envisaged by the PM in April 2018. Lindsy Thompson (Antigua and Barbuda), Wendy Freeman (Grenada) and Steve Moore (SVG) and our established Resident British Commissioner, Steve McCready who heads up the British High Commission in St Lucia.

Source: CARICOM TODAY