High Commission of The Bahamas, London facts for kids
Quick facts for kids High Commission of The Bahamas in London |
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| Location | Mayfair, London |
| Address | 10 Chesterfield Street, London, W1J 5JL |
| Coordinates | 51°30′25.8″N 0°8′55″W / 51.507167°N 0.14861°W |
| High Commissioner | Paul Andrew Gomez |
The High Commission of The Bahamas in London is like a special office for the country of The Bahamas in the United Kingdom. It's where Bahamian diplomats work to keep good relationships between the two countries. This office first opened in the 1970s.
Contents
What is a High Commission?
A High Commission is a type of diplomatic mission. It's similar to an embassy, but it's used between countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth is a group of countries that used to be connected to the British Empire.
The main job of the High Commission is to represent The Bahamas in the UK. This means they help Bahamian citizens who are in the UK. They also work to improve trade, culture, and friendship between the two nations.
Who is the High Commissioner?
The person in charge of the High Commission is called the High Commissioner. They are the main representative of The Bahamas in the United Kingdom. The current High Commissioner is Paul Andrew Gomez. He is the tenth person to hold this important job.
Past High Commissioners
Many important people have served as High Commissioner for The Bahamas in London. Here is a list of those who have held the position:
| Name | Dates |
|---|---|
| Sir Alvin Braynen | July 10, 1973 - June 30, 1977 |
| Mr Anthony Roberts | October 2, 1977 - September 14, 1984 |
| Mr Richard Demeritte | September 17, 1984 - May 13, 1988 |
| Dr. Patricia Rodgers | May 16, 1988 - October 30, 1992 |
| Sir Arthur A. Foulkes | November 9, 1992 - June 14, 1999 |
| Mr Basil O'Brien CMG | August 31, 1999 - January 31, 2008 |
| Mr Paul Farquharson QPM | February 2, 2008 - August 21, 2012 |
| Mr Eldred Bethel | December 17, 2012 - May, 2017 |
| Mr Ellison Greenslade QPM | November 17, 2017 - April 2023 |
| Mr Paul Gomez | April 20, 2023 - present |
More About the High Commission
The building where the High Commission is located also has another important role. It serves as The Bahamas Tourist Office in London. This office helps people in the UK learn about The Bahamas and plan trips there.
Besides its work with the United Kingdom, the High Commission also acts as the Embassy of The Bahamas for several other countries in Europe. This means it handles diplomatic relations with those countries too. It also works with various international groups, such as:
- The Commonwealth Secretariat
- The International Maritime Organization
- The Bureau of International Expositions
Gallery
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Plaque outside the High Commission depicting the Coat of arms of the Bahamas
