MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands remembers leading figure of post-conflict recovery

David Taylor CBE the first Falkland Islands Government Chief Executive passed away in London on Thursday. The Falkland Islands Government on making the sad announcement on Friday underlined David's contribution to the recovery of the Islands following the 1982 conflict.

David was the first Falkland Islands Government Chief Executive from 1983 to 1987. He returned to the Islands in that position for 8 months in 1988. In addition to leading the public service through the post war re-construction, one of his main roles in the Falklands was to implement the key recommendations of the Shackleton Report. This included further civil service reform, the process of land reform (farm subdivision), setting up FIDC and the creation of the fisheries zone. He was appointed Governor of Montserrat from 1990 to 1993 and was awarded the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in 1993. He was a Trustee of Falklands Conservation from 1996-2001. David and his partner Carole returned to the Islands in 2002 (the 20th Anniversary of Liberation) as guests of the Falkland Islands Government. Councillor Mike Summers said "David was a very influential member of the FI Government in the post war period. His enthusiasm and work ethic carried the Government team through a number of major and momentous decisions for the Islands, which set the scene for future development. He remained committed to the Falkland Islands and still has a number of friends in the Islands." His funeral will be private, however a memorial service will be held in UK in January.