A distinguished Anguillian national living in Britain, Mrs. Blondel Bernadette Rosceilia Cluff, has been appointed as the new Anguilla United Kingdom/European Union Representative (UK/EU) based in London. She has double Anguillian parentage – her father having been from East End and her mother from The Farrington where there are a number of relatives. She will assume duties on February 1.
Mrs. Cluff will be coming to Anguilla for a brief visit on February 5. Her appointment was announced on Monday this week in a press release by the Hon. Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks. She was selected from among five applicants and will be on contract for one year. It is renewable annually during the current Anguilla Government’s tenure, subject to the agreement of both parties.
Mrs. Cluff will be assisted in the performance of her duties by another Anguillian national – Ms. Sonia Fleming as the Liaison for the Anguilla Slough/UK Diaspara Community. Ms. Fleming will also serve as Coordinator of enquires from Anguillians seeking medical attention and wishing to pursue educational opportunities in the United Kingdom.
Mrs. Cluff is currently Chairperson of the Heritage Lottery Fund, London Committee, with responsibility for grants and projects within the City of London and the 32 boroughs. She has extensive experience in Banking and Financial Services enhanced by over 18 years in London as a Solicitor and special advisor to the London Stock Exchange and Bank of England.
She is also Chief Executive of the West India Committee working with a broad range of governments in the region together with UK Government departments, corporates and institutions (including many public companies) to devise viable commercial and social strategies to improve the general welfare of the peoples of the Caribbean and the communities in which they live and work. In addition, she is a member of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee advising both the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll on numismatic and medallic design, drawing upon her extensive experience as a jewellery designer. She was responsible for the rejuvenation of the Museum of London and the development of its client base in the fields of cultural exchange, education and professional training.
Anguilla’s Chief Minister, Mr. Banks, has expressed thanks to all the other persons who had shown interest in the position as the Anguilla Government’s UK/EU Representative. “He however holds the view that, based on Mrs. Cluff’s qualifications, presentation and experience, she is ideally suited to fill this critical position at this time,” the press release stated. “Mrs. Cluff is also well-placed to ensure that Anguilla reaps optimum benefits because of the professional network she has established over the years.”
She replaces another Anguillian – Ms. Dorothea Hodge – who served as Anguilla’s first UK/EU Representative under the Anguilla United Movement Government of Chief Minister Hubert Hughes. Ms Hodge continued to serve for a few months under the Anguilla United Front Government. She announced her resignation in December last year.
