New High Commissioner to UK and New Consul-General in Toronto named

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs has announced two new diplomatic appointments.

Former Senator and President of the Jamaican Bar Association, Alexander Williams has been named as Jamaica’s new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, replacing Seth George Ramocan, who has held the position since December 2016. At the same time, career diplomat, Kurt Davis has been appointed Consul-General in Toronto.

Consular General-designate Davis will assume duties later this month while High Commissioner-designate Williams will assume duties in early October. Williams has been a practising attorney for the past 33 years. 

Credentials of new appointees

Between 2012 and 2016, Williams was a member of the Jamaican Senate and served on several Joint Select Committees of Parliament, including committees dealing with banking, insolvency, police oversight, corruption, integrity and sexual offences. He has also served on the board of directors of several national institutions and as chairman of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO). 

Davis has some 20 years of service in the Jamaican diplomatic service with his most recent posting as Jamaica’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. His previous assignments include tours of duty in Pretoria and as Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Jamaica in Berlin.

Davis was also seconded to the United Nations as Senior Adviser in the Office of the President of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly from 2017 to 2018. He holds Master’s degrees in Diplomacy and in International Law.

In making the appointment Senator Johnson-Smith commented, “I anticipate high levels of performance from these gentlemen. They are both endowed with a wealth of experience in their respective careers and personal endeavours, which have equipped them to undertake their new roles in service to the Government and people of Jamaica. 

Continuing, the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister remarked, “I have charged them with ramping up the work of the Ministry, including deepening Jamaica’s engagement with the Diaspora as well as strengthening commercial and investment ties with Jamaica. I have full confidence that they will continue to deepen the relationships which Jamaica enjoys at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. I extend my best wishes and assure them of the full support of my Ministry in the conduct of their new responsibilities.”