John Rankin Appointed As New Governor

September 19, 2016

[Updated] Government House announced that John Rankin has been appointed as the new Governor of Bermuda, and he will arrive to take up the position in December 2016

The announcement said, “Mr John Rankin, CMG has been appointed Governor of Bermuda in succession to Mr George Fergusson who departed in August 2016 to take up another diplomatic posting.

“Mr Rankin will arrive in December 2016. Mrs Ginny Ferson will continue in the role of Acting Governor until Mr Rankin’s arrival.

Governor John Rankin Bermuda September 19 2016

“Mr Rankin joined the FCO as a Legal Adviser in 1988 and worked in that capacity both in the UK and Geneva. His last substantive overseas posting was as the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

“He was previously Consul-General in Boston and has served as Head of the Americas Directorate in the FCO. He is a graduate of the University of Glasgow and of McGill University, Montreal. Prior to joining the FCO he qualified and practised as a solicitor in Scotland and was a lecturer in public law at the University of Aberdeen.”

On his appointment as Governor of Bermuda, Mr Rankin said, “I very much look forward to taking up the role of Governor and working in partnership with the elected Government in the interests of the people of Bermuda.

“Bermuda has a well-deserved reputation as a vibrant place to do business and an attractive place to live or to visit. That vibrancy will be all the more evident as we approach the America’s Cup next year and Bermuda has the opportunity to showcase itself to the full on the world stage.”

Update 12.35pm: Premier Michael Dunkley said, “We will welcome the new Governor in December. We are pleased to see that the FCO process of appointing a Governor for Bermuda has been completed.

“We note Mr. Rankin’s wide range of expertise, which we consider could be an asset to Bermuda’s growth in the next few years.”

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Comments (32)

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  1. Truth is killin' me... says:

    Since he was previously Consul-General in Boston maybe he has some contacts their and can sort out our driver license debacle!

    • Kangoocar says:

      Do you mean the same driving liscence issue that the plp knew all about in 2010 and did absolutley nothing about?

      • frank says:

        the driving in Boston is important to Bermudians going
        there so it needs to be taken care of soon

        • Zevon says:

          Perhaps when we let visitors drive here it will be an easier discussion.

          • Juicy Onion says:

            Just one of the many ways Bermuda fails to compete. I wonder what other island has its head so far up its rear end that it doesn’t allow foreign drivers licenses. None that I have ever been to. Bermuda needs to get its finger out now.

      • Paul Reveire says:

        So Kangoocar, were we NOT renting card prior to the PLP being elected?
        If so what did your beloved UBP do about it?
        Not a DAMN thing, so hush your mouth and go hop back into your cave

        • wahoo says:

          Bring back UBP!

          14 years of PLP and they did nothing to advance the working man they only advanced themselves and the soldiers are not asking where their share of the $2B is? Haha….PLP got’em right where they want ‘em.

          Don’t be a soldier no more!

        • Kangoocar says:

          You are a classic case study as to why it is believed by many that an aptitude test should be taken and passed, by every citizen before they are allowed to vote! This licence issue became KNOWN in 2010 while your beloved plp were in power and THEY chose to say nothing and do nothing?? Now we have many Bermudians being inconvienced and that includes all white and BLACK Bermudians, when they are in Boston and many go there because of medical reasons!!

          • Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown says:

            Kangoocar,
            Are you in a position to show proof that this issue came to the attention of the PLP in 2010? If so, it was after October 2010.

            • Kangoocar says:

              Premier Dunkley made that announcement on a Friday afternoon approx a month ago, I cannot tell you if it was after Oct 2010 or not? But what difference does that make except I am assuming that was the date you relieved us of your misery? Do you really think your cabinet members told you everything?
              I stated at the time of the announcement from Prem Dunkley, that it was foolish and naive to make that announcement late on a Friday because no one pays attention on a day like that, the OBA really need to wake up when it comes to Getting messages out! That is one of the few things I will give you credit for, you knew how to get your message out!

      • Hurricane says:

        Crawl back in your hole

      • Ace Gurl says:

        Why? Americans can’t drive in Bermuda!

    • Longtail says:

      True, but the problem is bigger than just Massachusetts / Boston. It does seem to be a Government House matter: Bermuda needs to be included as a jurisdiction that can issue an International Driving Permit under the relevant Geneva Convention… this should then be accepted in Massachusetts as well as the other US states that do not accept a Bermuda drivers licence, Portugal, Italy, etc, etc. Government appears to have been very quiet on any progress in this matter……….

      • Juicy Onion says:

        When we don’t accept any foreign licenses, what do we honestly expect? Once again, Bermuda thinks it is special, entitled. We need to fix this immediately.

        • Kangoocar says:

          You guys just can’t face the truth can you? Perhaps you should spend your time now sorting out who is signing up new members to your party by paying for them without their knowledge and even signing up deceased people?? Your party is pathetic and rife with skulduggery, almost 4 yrs later and NOTHING has changed with you bunch??

    • Onion Juice says:

      Bermuda for Independence

      • Juicy Onion says:

        Comedy is great.

      • wahoo says:

        Shut your noise OJ. You and your pleeps couldn’t run water let alone this island.

      • Legalgal says:

        His thesis was on the right to self- determination so maybe you will get your wish after all! Good bye.

    • Legalgal says:

      He might even be able to arrange a reciprocity agreement allowing visiitng drivers to drive here!

  2. Unbelievable says:

    Ugh the comments are going to be so toxic today.

  3. Desk Warmer says:

    Dear FCO,

    Really?

    Surely after Vereker, Gozney and Fergusson you could have picked a more inspiring candidate from the Civil Service Ranks and the District Line rush hour tube ride to warm that big desk up at Government House?

    Like really this new bloke?

    Farewell Governor Fergusson you were more palatable than most in recent years, happy retirement your Excellency.

    Yours truly,
    Desk Warmer

  4. Legalgal says:

    And he’s a Human Rights advocate! It just keeps getting better. Sounds like the right person for the job.

  5. Sage says:

    And who would some moron like Desk Warmer prefer? Someone with their IQ like Elmo??

  6. Observer says:

    It’s no wonder that young people are so rude and disrespectful. It is disgusting how the majority of comments made are in such poor taste. And they are made by adults!! Shame on those who do so. Your negative, childish, derogatory comments help no one, only belittle yourselves.