Former Member of Parliament Edmund Hinkson will take up the post of High Commissioner to London from next month.
Yesterday, he confirmed he had been appointed by the President of Barbados “and accepted by the British officialdom to be the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom”.
Hinkson will also be accredited to seven other countries as well as to the Commonwealth Secretariat.
“I am honoured to be given the opportunity to continue my long public service to my country and the people of Barbados. I look forward to advancing the economic trade, investment and cultural interest in Barbados,” he said.
Deputy High Commissioner Mackie Holder has been acting in the top post for months since the exit of former High Commissioner Milton Inniss.
Hinkson, a Senior Counsel, was MP for St James North for 12 years, first running in 2013 when he replaced Rawle Eastmond, then in 2018 and 2022 before resigning that seat in April this year. During the Barbados Labour Party’s 2018-2022 term in office, he served for two years as Minister of Home Affairs.
The new envoy said he was confident that his experience as an MP and a member of Cabinet, serving as an African, Caribbean and Pacific States/European Union parliamentary representative, and several nongovernmental organisations would benefit him in achieving the objectives of the post.
His focus will be on assisting the country as it seeks greater investments and strengthening the connection with the diaspora.
Hinkson referenced the Barbados Citizenship Bill, 2025, which is revising the law relating to, among other things, the acquisition of citizenship of Barbados to a person who is born outside the country but is a grandchild or great-grandchild of a citizen of Barbados upon application.
For Barbados, the United Kingdom diaspora was the largest in the world, he said.
“We all have relatives who live or have lived in England and this is a key piece of legislation,” he said, adding that the UK was Barbados’ longest traditional partner, having been the only colonial power.
“While we wisely explore and expand diplomatic relations with the African continent and other places, we still treasure the relationship with the UK,” Hinkson said.
He is also aiming to expand the Barbados Network Programme for returning nationals, formerly known as the Returning Nationals Programme, that facilitates relocation. (AC)
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