(MENAFN- Caribbean News Now) By Caribbean News Now contributor
LONDON, England – Nigel Dakin will replace Dr John Freeman as the next governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), it was announced by the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Freeman will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service when he leaves TCI in July this year and Nigel Dakin will take up his appointment during the same month.
Dakin, who presently works in Washington, is a senior foreign policy official at the UK embassy to the US, is married with two children.
The governor-designate has extensive diplomatic experience in Russia and counter-terrorism. Dakin's training and experience might suggest the FCO's main concerns for the Turks and Caicos that it intends to place a greater focus on in the tiny Overseas Territory.
Dakin previously served as director and executive board member - UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office for three years and also served as a diplomat at the UK FCO for 17 years. As a diplomat, Dakin served as front line leadership and delivery roles in Afghanistan (2012-13), Pakistan (2007-2010), Washington (2005-2007), India (1999-2001) and Nigeria (1998). When not overseas leadership of geographic, thematic and policy teams in London.
Dakin has also served as a staff officer in the UK ministry of defence supporting the secretary of state for defence, chief of defence staff and permanent under-secretary for defence on matters relating to the Irish peace process.
The governor-designate began his career in 1982 as an Army officer with the British army where he served in command, operational and training roles in the UK and overseas.
Freeman has been serving as governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands since October 2016, succeeding former governor Peter Beckingham in the post.
Freeman's relationship with current Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson was often turbulent, with the premier expressing frustration with Freeman and Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite. The TCI premier blamed both Freeman and Braithwaite for continually impeding the will of Cabinet and blocking significant economic development in the country.
The TCI is a British Overseas Territory that primarily depends on tourism and the government is keen to see to it that the country attracts Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from it and ensures existing tourism investments can thrive and remain comfortable operating in the TCI.
However, Cartwright-Robinson cites numerous occasions where Freeman and Braithwaite stymie consensus reached in Cabinet to pursue a progressive tourism investment agenda.
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