OUTGOING British High Commissioner Victoria Dean has been praised for her role in helping to secure the $300 million in British aid committed to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean during her term of office.
This and other achievements during Dean’s three years as high commissioner to the region were highlighted by her deputy, Colin Dick, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Maxine McClean, during a farewell reception at the official residence on Tuesday.
Dick said Dean had set many records during her tenure, being the first woman and youngest high commissioner to be appointed to the position in the Caribbean by the British government.
He shared statistics to illustrate the commitment and outstanding performance of his boss, whom he commended for her “informal style” and the relationships she fostered among her staff.
“Over those three years, Vicki has been much more than a colleague, much more than a high commissioner for many of us. She has been a leader but she has also been a source of challenge and real support for all of us.”
McClean also spoke about some “of the meaningful work” which she said distinguished the high commissioner’s representation in Barbados. Among the highlights was an air services agreement signed between Barbados and the United Kingdom, which McClean said modified the previous 1999 agreement.
“It is important because it serves to facilitate the further development of transportation links between our two countries. Of course, such an agreement opens up possibilities for increased investment and growth in tourism and trade sectors among other benefits,”the minister said.
The British aid to the region, McClean said, was going towards areas such as law enforcement through the sharing of expertise in tackling crime and international organised crime.
In turn, Dean said a big “thank you” to her High Commission staff, household staff, friends and everyone else who had in some way contributed to her success.
Earlier in the day, she had hosted a function for the send-off of 18 scholars from the Eastern Caribbean to the UK to pursue a fully-funded Master’s programme. She expressed satisfaction at seeing the number of UK Chevening Scholarships double during her term of office.
Dean returns to England today and will be heading up a special department of the British Foreign Office set up to engage in the technical work for Britain’s exit from the European Union. (GC)
