MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Sailor comes ashore as Falkland's development chief.
A businessman who has seen the Falklands Islands as a young adventurer but never set foot on them travels there towards the end of March to take over the important post of General Manager of the Falkland Islands Development Corporation. The new FIDC General Manger is Julian Morris, who spoke about his hopes and plans to Correspondent Harold Briley.
When I met Julian Morris he was busily engaged in conversation at the Falklands Government stand at an Olympia travel exhibition. Talking and listening to people from the Falklands, he said, is an important part of learning about the job.
Mr Morris, aged 41, from Reading in Berkshire, has travelled a lot and first came across the Falklands Islands as a young adventurer, sailing in the Whitbread round the world race on a boat called "Creighton's Naturally" in 1989/1990. He was then 28 and a keen sailor. So, he laughed, "I have some idea what the Falklands weather is like!".
His interest in the Falklands was also heightened by the experiences of his eldest brother, who landed on the Falklands from the Royal Navy Antarctic survey ship, HMS Endurance, while taking part as a civilian doctor in an Antarctic Joint Forces Brabant Island Expedition in 1982.
"Islanders are terrific" Julian Morris said he was taking on trust what his brother and friends have told him about he Islands. "Everybody says the Islanders are terrific", he said. "That is one of the very big attractions of the job. I have heard a lot of good reports. We are looking forward to being active members of that small community".
Having recently married, in August last year, he says his wife, Amanda, is very much looking forward to their new life. She is a Yorkshire farmer's daughter. She has been pestering him to buy a land rover which is her favourite vehicle. She will now get her wish as four-wheel drive vehicles are essential for this kind of work in the Falklands. "She's probably a better driver than me", he said. I warned him that Islanders, who are themselves experts at four-wheel drive vehicles in their challenging terrain, look upon it as a sport to watch newcomers getting "bogged", then rescuing them.
Julian Morris is a qualified chartered accountant who has spent much of his career developing businesses as a senior manager and venture capital adviser. It is valuable experience for the new challenge he faces. He sold his own business only a few months ago and was taking stock of his options and how he wanted his life to develop when the Falklands opportunity arose.
Developing a vibrant, diversified economy "The role", he says,"seems to combine a number of factors ? advising and helping grow businesses in the Falklands and helping to develop the economy in a diverse and sustainable way for the future. It is not only about profit. It is about developing the economy".
Asked about ideas and plans, he said he has no fixed ideas. He wants to investigate first what the issues are. "My role", he says, "is to talk and listen to find out what Islanders want to achieve. My job is to facilitate that process".
He takes over the post at a difficult time, financially, as vital fishing revenue has fallen with the drop in squid catches. "This", he says, "underlines the need to develop a vibrant and diversified economy for the long ?term future to ensure that the Islands continue to enjoy the prosperity they have been achieving in recent years".
Among his responsibilities in FIDC is the new abattoir as it increases its supply of organic products.
Harold Briley, (MP) London
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