Office of The Governor, Gibraltar

His Excellency The Governor thanks Franco Cassar for nearly a decade of dedicated service to Gibraltar as a member of the Specified Appointments Commission.

This important, largely unseen work supports the Governor and Government in advising on certain senior appointments set out in legislation.

Franco will continue his service to the community as Honorary Consul for Malta.

The Government of Gibraltar’s Women’s Mentorship Programme is run by the Ministry of Equality and Employment under the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP. Now in its 7th cycle, with over 200 participants, it aims to support women’s professional progress through one-to-one mentorship opportunities and group learning sessions. Mentees develop skills to help them aspire to leadership and management roles, areas where women are often under-represented.

This year, His Excellency the Governor volunteered as a mentor and was paired with Mrs Heidi Jefferies, a Ministry of Defence Civil Servant aspiring to promotion to Executive Officer, who is also the Chair of Breast Cancer Gibraltar. Both His Excellency and Heidi found the 4 one-to-one sessions of mentorship mutually rewarding, and Heidi also participated in group learning sessions, including workshops, guest speakers and networking events.

https://meect.gov.gi/equality/ministry-of-equality-announces-new-cycle-of-the-womens-mentorship-programme/

Today, His Excellency presented cheques to two local charities following the continued success of the Convent Garden Open Day. £1,500 has been donated to both the Citizens Advice Bureau and Society of St Vincent de Paul from the money raised at the Open Day, supporting the vital work they carry out in our community.

The Citizens Advice Bureau offers free, confidential support to help individuals manage everyday issues. Their services include providing food vouchers and essential provisions, alongside professional guidance such as employment advice and budgeting support.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul delivers practical assistance to individuals and families in need. They provide help through the provision of items such as household goods and food vouchers, and through work, by empowering people returning to employment or seeking guidance for personal challenges.

His Excellency gives his thanks to all those who came to the Open Day and supported these two great causes.

Gibraltar Citizens Advice Bureau
https://www.ssvpglobal.org/en/

Today marks the first day of Pride: a time to celebrate love, diversity, inclusion and equality, while also recognising the challenges that LGBT+ people continue to face.

In Gibraltar, respect for diversity remains a cornerstone of a strong and modern democracy. Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made, and we can take pride in the strides achieved.

A strong society is one where individuals feel safe and supported to express who they are, whether it be at home, work, or in public life. Encouraging understanding and inclusion remains central to building a community that values every person.

His Excellency met with Mr Peter Montegriffo KC, Chair of the Gibraltar Police Authority (GPA) and Mr Owain Richards, Commissioner of the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) to discuss perspectives on the reform of the governance of the Police in Gibraltar.

Following on from the visit of Mr Lee Freeman from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), they discussed how best to manage matters relating to the setting of policy by the GPA and the management of operations by the RGP, with appropriate checks and balances. The conversation drew on examples of governance from the UK, currently being changed through a White Paper, as well as examples from Crown Dependencies, principally Jersey and also from Australia, Canada and New Zealand. However, any adjustments to the current model must take account of the McGrail Inquiry recommendations whilst avoiding over-complication for a jurisdiction the size of Gibraltar.

Last week, His Excellency the Governor met with General Sir Rob Magowan KCB CBE ADC RM, Command Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, who was visiting with his Director of International Global Defence Network, Dr Samantha Griffiths.

In addition to calls on the Chief Minister, and tours of Ministry of Defence facilities and visiting ships, including RFA Lyme Bay and HMS Stirling Castle, General Magowan discussed with His Excellency the UK’s responsibility for defence of Gibraltar and its role in wider Euro-Atlantic Defence.

As a Royal Marine, General Magowan is no stranger to Gibraltar, but this was his first visit in his new role with responsibility for the base and operations.

We’re now on Instagram! Follow us to keep up to date with His Excellency’s engagements and news from the Convent across even more platforms.

You can find us here: https://www.instagram.com/conventgibraltar/

Yesterday evening, His Excellency the Governor had the pleasure of attending the Gibraltar Young Enterprise Final, where he was impressed by the wide variety of innovative businesses on display.

Young Enterprise Gibraltar is the local partner of the UK-based charity, which equips young people with the confidence, skills and practical experience needed to succeed in the world of work by enabling them to set up and run their own businesses.

His Excellency would like to congratulate My Mind Matters for becoming the first Gibraltar College team to win the competition and wishes them the best of luck as they go on to represent Gibraltar at the UK finals.

Young Enterprise Gibraltar

Yesterday, His Excellency the Governor and Lady Bathurst opened the Convent Gardens to the public for the annual Convent Garden Open Day.

Over 1000 members of the public came in, a record in recent years, for a highly successful day with an opportunity to look round the garden, enjoy food and drink provided, and to buy marmalade and plants with all proceeds going to charity.

The 100 jars of Silver award winning Convent marmalade sold out quickly, and whilst the Convent’s annual crop of oranges constrains the amount that can be produced, further thought will be given on how to increase the output to satisfy the strong demand.

Throughout the day, over £3000 was raised for this year’s chosen charities, the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Society of St Vincent de Paul; again, this was a record amount in recent years.

His Excellency the Governor would like to thank Greenarc for all their work in the garden; Capurro’s Insurance for covering the day; St. John’s Ambulance for providing medical cover; OSG for increased security; the Convent Christmas Fair Committee for their support, along with all the Convent staff on duty; and Rock A Banana who came in for the day.

St John Ambulance Gibraltar
Capurro Insurance & Investments
Gibraltar Citizens Advice Bureau
Rock A Banana
https://svp.org.uk/

Convent Chef Tony Knott has won a Silver award at the Dalemain International Marmalade Competition for his Trafalgar Rum Convent Marmalade, using oranges that were grown in the Convent.

The addition of Pusser’s Rum to the marmalade reflects the Gibraltar’s Royal Navy links, particularly in 1805 when Admiral Lord Nelson’s body arrived at Rosia Bay in Gibraltar after the Battle of Trafalgar.

His Excellency the Governor sent three jars of Convent Marmalade (Orange, Orange and Ginger and Trafalgar Rum) to His Majesty The King. The Governor received a response that His Majesty loved the marmalade, especially the Trafalgar Rum. His Majesty passed his thanks to former Royal Navy Chef Tony Knott with best wishes for success in the competition.

Last year, Tony won a Bronze medal in the competition. This year, he elevated his success to a Silver medal and two Bronze medals. Next year, Tony will be going for Gold!

The artwork for the Convent Marmalade was drawn by Miss Anna Grech, who works at the Convent.

Jars of Convent Marmalade will be on sale at the Convent Garden Open Day on Tuesday 19th Mayat £5 per jar. All proceeds of the sales will be going to the chosen charities, the Society of St Vincent de Paul and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Gibraltar Citizens Advice Bureau
The Dalemain World Marmalade Awards & Festival
https://svp.org.uk