70 Years of Bilateral Relations

70 Years of Bilateral Relations

A Special Supplement celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the historic relationship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom

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Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Editor Farah Baig Contributors Kristian Harrison Editorial Consultant Ahdeya Ahmed Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Art Director Hatem Monem Webmaster Nishad Eapen

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CRM & Database Coordinator Muna Yousef

FOSTERING HISTORIC RELATIONS

Staff Photographer Subeesh Kumar N S

On the occasion of HM Queen Elizabeth ll’s Platinum Jubilee, we spoke to the British Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Roderick Drummond, about his time in the Kingdom so far and significant developments that are sure to enhance bilateral relations between the two Kingdoms.

Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services) Media Sales Director Anuradha Manhas anuradha@redhousemarketing.com

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4 June 2022

MAKING HISTORY

Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the historic relationship between Bahrain and the United Kingdom.

16 IN CONVERSATION WITH A KNIGHT

DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Digital Marketing & Social Media Director Farah Baig Social Media Managers Simran Tiwari, Rohit Reghunath

Printing Press Union Press, Bahrain

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8 REPRESENTING THE KINGDOM The Kingdom of Bahrain’s ambassador to the UK, HE Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, shares his thoughts on HM Queen Elizabeth ll’s Platinum Jubilee, his diplomatic experience and the historic ties between the two Kingdoms.

We spoke with one of the most influential figures in the historic relations between Bahrain and the UK, Lt Gen (Retd) Sir Tom Beckett. He is the Middle East executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and was instrumental in bringing the Manama Dialogue, the biggest annual military and political conference in the Kingdom, to fruition.

18 MEDIA’S VETERAN VOICE George Williams is one of the most renowned figures in local media, having held a long and distinguished career as the editor of the biggest English language newspaper in Bahrain. Here’s how his position bolstered ties between the two nations.

19 HERE FOR THE PEOPLE

10 A HISTORIC TIMELINE

Exploring key events and developments that have strengthened the historic diplomatic ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom.

The Very Reverend Christopher Butt served as Dean of St Christopher’s Cathedral from 2009 until his retirement in 2019. Upon his brief return to Bahrain, we couldn’t miss the chance to speak with one of the most important facilitators of strengthening cultural, religious and historical ties between the two nations.

20 A GREAT PARTNER OF TRADE

Bahrain British Business Forum Chairman, Khalid Rashid Al Zayani - one of the most important figures in relations between the two Kingdoms shares his thoughts on the milestone occasion. www.bahrainthismonth.com

21 BOOSTING BUSINESS TIES

BBBF Deputy Chair, Paula Boast is instrumental in managing memberships and strategising for the future. We spoke with her to find out more about her efforts to boost Bahraini-British relations.

23 SENSATIONAL, STYLISH AND SPORTY

Bentley Motors is one of the most sought-after luxury car brands in the world. Its exclusive distributor in Bahrain, Behbehani Brothers, recently launched the new Bentayga S and we were there to see the new model in all its shiny glory.

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AN AFFINITY WITH THE UK

Akram Miknas, one of the most successful businessmen in the Middle East, speaks about his affinity with the UK.

A DISTINGUISHED SERVICEMAN Sam Thompson is a distinguished serviceman, with experience in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the London Air Ambulance. He spoke about his new job in Bahrain and gave us an insight into his training alongside some of the UK’s most prominent royals.

43 GENERATIONAL TIES

Nasser Al Arayedh, Chairman of Al Arayedh Group Holding (AAGH), who gave us an insight into the Al Arayedh family’s close ties with the British community.

25 FAST FRIENDS

When it comes to motorsport, the relationship between Bahrain and the UK has always been incredibly strong. We spoke to Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of Bahrain International Circuit, to find out more about the fascinating history the two nations share both, on and off the track.

30 PAVING THE WAY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Dr. Abdulla Al Hawaj, the Founding President of Ahlia University, is one of the top educational leaders in the Middle East. He spoke to us about his studies in the UK and his lifelong mission to improve higher education opportunities in Bahrain.

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We would like to thank the Diplomat Radisson Hotel in Bahrain and its senior management for providing facilities utilised for some of the filmed interviews in this documentary.

CHERISHED MEMORIES & NEW BEGINNINGS

Bahrain This Month’s former motoring correspondent and a resident of the Kingdom for more than 40 years, Dick Potter, discusses his new venture back in the UK and reminisces on his time spent on our beautiful island.

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UK in Bahrain

FOSTERING HISTORIC FOSTERING RELATIONS

HISTORIC RELATIONS In June 2022, the British Embassy, the British Community and the people of Bahrain will join together in celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Anniversary. On the occasion, Bahrain This Month spoke to the British Ambassador to Bahrain, His Excellency Roderick Drummond, about his time in the Kingdom so far and significant developments that are sure to enhance bilateral relations between the two Kingdoms.

Y

our Excellency, you’ve had an extensive career spanning three decades. Could you give our readers a brief summary of your experience?

thing that I’m most proud of is that it’s going to be much easier for Bahrainis to travel to the UK with the electronic visa waiver scheme.

It sometimes doesn’t seem like such a long time, but I have gathered a bit of experience over the years, mostly in the Middle East Syria, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.

It’s always been dealing with quite a mix of issues with prosperity trade investment being a common theme apart from security in some places. This is in addition to getting to know and develop relations with each of those countries. Experiences in Africa, the South Pacific and Fiji were also fascinating and provided a real contrast to working in the Middle East.

What are your thoughts on the close bilateral relations that have existed between the UK and the Kingdom of Bahrain over recent decades? How could this be further strengthened?

What are your thoughts on Bahrain, compared to other countries you have been stationed at in the region?

Well, I’ve always enjoyed working in this region - getting to know people and their culture. I find that its easier, quicker and warmer here in Bahrain than anywhere else. I have friends from other parts of this region, but we became friends with many people here quite quickly. It’s been a real joy to get to know people in Bahrain and work together with them on common enterprises.

You were appointed the ambassador to Bahrain in April 2019. What do you consider to be the embassy’s most significant achievements during this time?

Despite COVID, we’ve been able to continue to deepen and extend the relationships in many different fields that we have a shared interest in. Broadening the offer from the UK to Bahrain in the field of education has been one of the trade investments projects we have been working on. Where security and defence are concerned, I’m very proud that one of Her Majesty’s warships is now in the Royal Bahrain Naval forces.

We’ve done a lot across the board, but the 6 June 2022

One of the things that struck me here is that Bahrainis understand and know the UK extraordinarily well, enabling them to select what it is in the UK that’s relevant here. When I look at the kind of courses that are being run here with support from British universities, that’s diversifying because Bahrainis understand that those choices are relevant to their future endeavours. This is not staying still; it continues to develop. I’m very impressed with the Bahraini youth and their different perspectives.

What do you consider to be your major objective as ambassador during the remainder of your assignment in Bahrain?

I’ve got a long time to go - a year and a half. I haven’t started to think of the end of it yet, but we’re clearly coming out of COVID, and moving forward we want to check that we’re pushing in the right direction - putting our effort in the right place. As ambassador, I want to be sure that we’re backing the right schemes, getting involved in the right projects, reassessing our priorities and discussing them with our Bahraini partners.

Are there any significant or noteworthy contributions made by British citizens in Bahrain in recent years?

Yes, quite a number. I’m very impressed when I talk to the universities here; you know the British University of Bahrain is perhaps the most notable, but there are others and the way they’re developing new postgraduate offer is something that has not been done here before.

I’m also very impressed with the Bahrain

British Business Forum (BBBF), which has a British and Bahraini joint leadership, and is going to give a new lease of life to business ties by turning into a Chamber of Commerce as part of the British Chambers of Commerce network.

Could you highlight some of the most significant high-level delegations and VIP visits over the past 70 years?

So, over the past 70 years, I think we have to think of the visit of Her Majesty to Bahrain in 1979. The relationship with the late Amir, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, was very important for so many years. And I look at the visits to the UK by His Majesty and all of the things that have flown from that, and His Royal Highness had seen all the top people including the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in London last year.

So, I know that this is not something looking back, that’s only the historical visits, but those that have brought us to where we are today.

And of course, we’ve had our own Prime Ministers here on many occasions over the last several decades because the UK-Bahrain relationship is special. It goes beyond the sort of individual components. There’s a real warmth to it on both sides and part of my job is to foster that.

Turning now to the current status of trade between Bahrain and the UK. Has BREXIT provided any specific advantages for further developments in this regard?

Yes, absolutely. So, I use as my benchmark the trade for the period right before COVID - the beginning of 2020, which was GBP 1.5 billion two-way goods and services, to both sides advantage, and after the pause and the changes around COVID, I think we’re going to bounce forward from that significantly. We’re about to start in the next few months negotiations for a free trade agreement with the GCC as a whole, and I think there’ll be www.bahrainthismonth.com

UK in Bahrain

some side agreements around that with Bahrain as well. The future is very bright.

What are the most popular British products and services in Bahrain?

We see lots of different professional services being offered in both directions.

That’s a very strong sector that continues to grow. I think we’re seeing growth in manufacture which is going to start to take off over this next period. British firms are realising that talent is easier to recruit here in Bahrain than in London or other cities in this region, and are therefore setting up offices to take advantage of that and do part of their regional operations from here in Bahrain. The business-friendly nature of this economy remains very important and attractive in many sectors.

How many British citizens currently reside in the Kingdom of Bahrain?

Between 5,000 and 7,000 of which we believe 5,000 are permanently here and another couple thousand semi-permanently.

That figure hasn’t changed in the last couple of years, but we are hearing of new firms coming in and setting up offices.

There are Brits in every sector of the economy, Providing professional services in different ways: legal, insurance, financial and education. Some of them have also become Bahraini over time.

Is there anything else you can say?

Bahrain continues to delight and surprise me. I continue to find new things about this pearl… this small place in the middle of the Gulf. I’m very confident that, things are on the right track and the next several years are going to be very exciting period of optimism of growth and new developments.

And the UK will be right here, part of it, working with our Bahraini partners to make it bigger and better. www.bahrainthismonth.com

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UK in Bahrain

REPRESENTING THE KINGDOM The Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom have enjoyed strong diplomatic relations for several decades. On the occasion of the celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll’s Platinum Jubilee, we spoke to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, about his thoughts on the milestone, his diplomatic experience and the historic ties.

Y

ou’ve had a distinguished career since joining the Bahrain Civil Service Bureau in 1990. Can you give us a brief summary of your diplomatic postings and missions so far?

Serving the kingdom, both at home and abroad has been the greatest honour of my career. My diplomatic posting began as an ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Court of St James’s in 2015. I handed my credentials to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll in December 2015, serving as the Kingdom’s 11th ambassador to the United Kingdom, since we commenced our diplomatic relationship with the UK in 1971.

8 June 2022

Shortly afterwards, my mandate expanded to provide non-resident representation to some of the key countries in Western Europe including Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and Norway. Out of the countries in Europe, Bahrain has about five or six covering Western Europe. So, each ambassador covers quite a bit in terms of being a resident and non-resident ambassador basically the mandate there is to strengthen while supporting Bahrainis residing in those countries.

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UK in Bahrain

What are your key observations about living in the UK? How does it compare to your previous postings?

I’ve experienced living in the UK during my commissioning course in 1993 and have been coming here with the family and kids on a regular basis. So, when I was first appointed as ambassador here, it wasn’t a new place or significantly different than what I’ve been used to and I have felt right at home since day one.

We are accustomed to a lot of things that are similar to Bahrain.

What do you consider to be your most significant achievement since joining the Court of St James’s?

There have been a few memorable milestones.

I think we had a number of official visits either here in the UK or in Bahrain, His Royal Highness Prince Charles visited Bahrain, and he chose Bahrain for his only day off in the Gulf a reflection of the depth of the relationship between the two countries.

Here in the UK, His Majesty King Hamad usually comes every year for the Royal Windsor Horse Show and is hosted at Windsor castle every year. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s first official visit abroad was to the UK where he met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. So, all of these, plus I have almost 200 official visits per year from Bahrain to the UK. It’s quite a busy schedule here in the UK where we tend to a number of issues that are related.

However, during the pandemic I saw quite a bit of work between our two governments, whether in terms of sharing knowledge, experience and knowhow. We saw it firsthand, a number of issues regarding dealing with the pandemic first, and were lucky to both recognise the issues related to it and address them very early on. So, we were lucky, in the UK and Bahrain, to overcome the pandemic with as little damage as possible. That was quite a significant cooperation between the two countries.

How many Bahraini expats live in the UK and what’s the main reason for them being there?

There are a few thousands of Bahrainis living here who feel right at home and we support them in any way we can.

I think we’ve got three kinds of Bahrainis living here in the UK. We’ve got Bahrainis who are married into British families and are living www.bahrainthismonth.com

with their partners here in the UK; Bahrainis that are working here in the UK in various fields; and Bahrainis that have graduated from universities here and are seeking experience in terms of getting jobs, internships or short-term working experience here. We also have over 50 doctors living and working here in the UK. What activities does the embassy of the kingdom of Bahrain in the UK undertake to promote cooperation and unity between the two countries?

We have to basically engage, engage and engage. The embassy is focused on forging a strong relationship across all parts of society here in the UK, whether it’s policy shapers or taking people-to-people relations to new heights on a daily basis. So, we are engaged on all levels of people that influence policy here in the UK. What image of Bahrain does your embassy in the UK project to the host country?

Well, the Kingdom of Bahrain has a bold vision for the future and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister held, in February of last year, his first wide ranging briefing since his appointment as Prime Minister. It was then that he made clear his ambition to unleash the full potential of the country’s economy, built on competition, innovation, adaptation and growth; a country that works with old friends and new allies across the globe to foster an open competitive environment with access to a global economy that rewards creativity and excellence. Our bilateral relations are anchored on a strong deeply-rooted partnership, not only in defense and mutual security interest, but trade, commerce and the bonds of friendship that go across the geographic borders in Britain and Bahrain.

It’s not time to rest on our previous successes.

Our nations are focused on having a meaningful, outward looking future where positive engagement and cooperation with global partners are more important than ever before. Yet, for all of this success, there is much potential yet to be unlocked.

You’ve had several achievements in your career. Which of your experiences do you think have helped prepare you most for your role as ambassador?

experiences of how to engage and communicate with other officials, whether in Bahrain or abroad.

So, I believe that it’s an accumulation of work that I’ve done before. However, I think what’s important is how to project Bahrain’s image and ideas abroad and how to foster these relationships that is key to making any diplomat’s work a success.

From your experience, what personality traits are required to make a good diplomat in general?

What I’ve seen here, considering that London is the largest host of diplomatic entities anywhere in the world with over 20,000 diplomats working and living here, is that communication is key. In addition, to become a successful diplomat here in London, being social and quite knowledgeable is essential because you’ve got a community here in London that understands the region very well. I think it’s very important to understand the politics of the region and how you can communicate that well.

What are your personal thoughts about the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II? Do you have any words to share on behalf of Bahrain?

The Platinum Jubilee is a testament to 70 years of opportunities and many challenges shouldered by Her Majesty the Queen throughout her reign. She has been a symbol of stability and continuity in an ever-changing world, living and working by her principles of service, duty and hard work is what many across the world who work in public service strive to emulate.

We are glad to have been able to celebrate the Royal Windsor Horse Show with her recently and to mark both, her birthday and her Jubilee.

The vocabulary of the Bahrain Royals who took part alongside the participating countries, and the concluding was a whole show, which was held and her part of the celebrations. They will also take part on June the second for celebrations in front of Buckingham palace as well. So, we will participate in a number of events during that weekend and wish Her Majesty all the best.

It’s been accumulating. I think the working experience whether when I first started at the Civil Service Bureau or later on as Head of the Youth and Sports Organisation, or at the Information Affairs Authority, builds up your June 2022 9

UK in Bahrain

A HISTORIC TIMELINE Exploring the historic diplomatic ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom

2022

May HM The Queen extends personal invitation to HM King Hamad who visited the UK and attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show and a private luncheon at Windsor Castle

February

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia, North Africa, the United Nations and the Commonwealth at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office visited Bahrain

2021

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December

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for the Armed Forces) Rt Hon James Heappey MP, visited Bahrain.

Meetings with Bahrain National Security Advisor His Highness Major General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander in Chief of the Bahrain Defence Forces

July

Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) – Commander Royal Guard Special Forces Visit. The United Kingdom Maritime Component Command and HMS MONTROSE hosted a visit by His Highness Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Guard Special Forces.

June

United Kingdom Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) hosted a visit from Bahrain National Security Advisor His Highness Major General Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, for a visit to HMS MONTROSE.

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UK in Bahrain

June

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson received HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Crown Prince, and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Downing Street for an hour-long meeting on a range of issues from trade to security.

2018

2017

April

January

New Royal Navy operations hub opens in the Gulf.

2016

UK Prime Minister David Cameron visited Bahrain to meet with the Kingdom’s Crown Prince and business leaders

December

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson makes speech at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain

December

Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Bahrain and the Gulf Co-operation Council

November

January

Visit to Bahrain by HRH Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall

2014

March

Launch of UK-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Working Group

200th anniversary of Bahrain-UK relations.

2013

January

GREAT British Week took place. Hosted in conjunction with the third international Bahrain Air Show, the GREAT British Week was an important part of the build-up to mark the 200th anniversary of bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Bahrain.

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February

Visit by Bahrain’s Parliamentarians to the House of Commons for talks with British Parliamentarians

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UK in Bahrain

2007

June

2006

Visit of the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, to the Kingdom of Bahrain during which she met with officials.

1984 April

State visit of the late Amir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa to the UK

1979

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On June 13, 2007, a co-operation agreement was signed between Bahrain Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.

1981 September

Visit by UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to Bahrain

1995 The Bahrain British Business Forum was formed.

February

Visit by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to Bahrain.

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UK in Bahrain

1976 1956

January

British Airways first Concorde Service from London Heathrow to Bahrain

1971

Political Agency Building – later British Embassy – was built on its current site in Manama

December

Bahrain formally becomes independent of the UK The Letter from British Ambassador to the late Amir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa can be found in the Bahrain National Museum.

1938 The Princess Royal, Princess Alice and her husband the Earl of Athlone visited Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the winter of 1938.

She was the first member of the British royal family to visit the country and the only one to meet King Abdulaziz.

Platinum Jubilee Celebratory Events

2022 May

June

21st May

Green Canopy Tree Planting and Tour of New Site (Nadeen School)

29th May

St Christopher’s Jubilee Songs of Praise

1st June

British Preparatory School - Jubilee Cake Competition

2nd June

Capital School - Jubilee Party Picnic

3rd June

British Club Street Party and Dilmun Club Jubilee Brunch

4th June

British School Jubilee Festival Lulu Supermarket British Week Launch

6th June

Scout Group of Bahrain - Queen’s Green Canopy - Tree Planting

8th June

Embassy Gala Dinner

10th June www.bahrainthismonth.com

BBBF Jubilee Cocktail Evening

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UK in Bahrain

MAKING HISTORY

Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the historic relationship between Bahrain and the United Kingdom.

O

n February 6, 2022 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the UK. To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, several events were planned across the UK to mark this momentous occasion.

On this milestone anniversary, we look back at some iconic photographs of HM Queen Elizabeth ll, who has always maintained close diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Notably, in 1979, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was welcomed by the late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the then Amir of Bahrain when she disembarked from the Royal Yacht Britannia on her visit to Bahrain with the Duke of Edinburgh during her sixnation Tour of the Gulf States, the first ever by a female Head of State.

HM also visited an exhibition of local crafts at Budaiya Park, and went on a tour of the Bahrain Museum in Muharraq. During the tour Her Majesty met with crowds and high-level officials. Given the close ties between the two nations, the late Amir Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa paid a state visit to the UK in 1984.

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UK in Bahrain

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UK in Bahrain

IN CONVERSATION WITH A KNIGHT

As we celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, we spoke with one of the most influential figures in the historic relations between Bahrain and the United Kingdom, Lt Gen (Retd) Sir Tom Beckett. He is the Middle East executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and was instrumental in bringing the Manama Dialogue, the biggest annual military and political conference in the Kingdom, to fruition. He opened up about his career and historic ties to Bahrain.

S

ir Tom, you were born here in Bahrain! How long were you resident here for, and how much of an influence did your formative years in the kingdom have on your later career?

Indeed! I was born here in 1962 in Awali while my father was working for BAPCO. We left as a family in 1982 just after I turned 20, although for periods I was at boarding school in the UK because back then there weren’t really many opportunities for secondary education on the island using the UK curriculum.

As for influences, you can’t live in a part of the world and not absorb some understanding of it. When, during my later career, I kept being brought back to the region, I felt I had a better understanding from having grown up here and lived in the Kingdom amongst Bahrainis and Arabs.

Could you briefly summarise the highlights of your illustrious career to date? In particular, how did you get involved in the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)?

Having left Bahrain in 1982, I joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1984 and joined the British Army where I served for 34 years. For the first part of my career until 1991, most of the army was focused on the threat from the USSR. Then in 1991 there was the Iraq invasion of Kuwait which brought a lot of the armed forces back to the region and this was my first re-exposure to the Gulf, coming into Saudi Arabia and then being part of the enormous international coalition, which restored the sovereign boundaries of Kuwait. While in the desert in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, I did get to pop back to Bahrain on two occasions which I greatly enjoyed!

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UK in Bahrain What do you consider to be the most important highlights of the Manama Dialogue since its inception?

The Manama Dialogue has two primary goals. The first one to bring, as mentioned previously, leaders and military figures together to present how they see regional conflicts going. The only thing we ask in return is that they take questions from an informed and expert audience that we have invited and that works very well. We air things, we challenge policy positions and everyone gets a better understanding of security issues in the region.

The second is providing all attendees with a concentrated opportunity for bilateral engagement. We often see countries that might publicly disagree having private bilateral agreements which is obviously a good thing as it promotes international peace and security.

The highlights of my career are undoubtedly the command appointments and operations. I was fortunate enough to command a parachute battalion and an armoured brigade. In the former, I took part in the 2003 operation in Iraq and then in the latter I was the last British commander to leave Iraq. Being there at the beginning and end of it, having done effectively four operations in the Middle East region from 1991 to 2003, will always stand out to me.

Sir Tom Beckett (fourth from right) during an Awali School field trip to the tropospheric scatter station on the Jebel. (1973)

As a result of that presence in the region and considering I was born here, an appointment called the Defence Senior Advisor, Middle East and North Africa came up and I was successful. That was my concluding job in the British military and to become a major part of the United Kingdom’s bilateral relations with the region was an amazing highlight.

Finally, because of that, when the role with IISS came up, it just fitted neatly together and I came back to Bahrain where it all began!

The IISS has been a hugely important factor in diplomatic and political relations internationally. What is your specific role and how would you describe the Institute’s ultimate goals and objectives?

Its higher purpose is to promote international peace and security. We do this by being an independent of government research institute with a focus on strategic studies. We look at conflict that could have a significant military dimension. We’re in our 63rd year of being a heavily respected independent think-tank worldwide and it’s because of that intellectual underpinning that we can run events like the Manama Dialogue where we can bring together national leaders, ministers, policy-makers and more into Bahrain which is incredibly wellsupported by the government of Bahrain.

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What has the Manama Dialogue done specifically to boost ties between the UK and the Middle East?

The UK has a long and storied history with the Gulf and Bahrain was the seat of the British residency in the political agency. The two nations have always had a mutually positive relationship in terms of prosperity, security and stability. I also think when I look at it from a Bahrain perspective, His Majesty King Hamad retains a very strong affection for the United Kingdom and what it did for the Kingdom of Bahrain.

You were knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 on your retirement from the army. How proud were you to receive this award?

I was exceptionally proud, although ‘absolutely amazed’ is the dominant emotion really. I couldn’t quite believe it when I took the call. It is slightly different than civilian awards, whereby they are asked and can accept or decline, but because we are military, we take orders and are not asked but given it. I didn’t expect it but after a 34-year career it was the most significant honour I could ask for.

Finally, do you have any words you’d like to offer to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee?

As a long-term soldier, the Queen is our Head of State and thus also our Commander-In-Chief.

Many of us who have served, as part of the medals we receive for operations, have received Jubilee medals such as the silver and gold ones and we wear them with pride just as we do with our operational ones because we are part of the British army.

Her Majesty has been an incredible influence for the United Kingdom and I think that on her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of unstinting service to the nation, is something that those of us who have also served the nation look on with the deepest admiration.

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MEDIA’S VETERAN VOICE

George Williams is one of the most renowned figures in local media,

n 2020, after a career “British links permeate having held a long and distinguished career as the editor of the spanning 42 years, deeply in the fabric of biggest English language newspaper in Bahrain. We found out how George Williams retired Bahrain society, from his position as the business and culture. In he used his position to bolster ties between the two nations. editor-in-chief of the fact, it has embraced Gulf Daily News. To this day, it remains the the British concept of thinking in many facets highest-circulated English language daily of life. I’m proud of this. newspaper in the Kingdom, while the benefits his “In return, from Bahrainis I learned courtesy, work brought to the press industry as a whole are tolerance, patience and self-respect, which are innumerable. now the cornerstones of my daily life.

Furthermore, the newspaper helped to bolster ties between Bahrain and the United Kingdom in terms of story coverage and the simple matter of spreading the English language amongst the local community.

Mr. Williams said: “I dedicated more than four decades of my life to the development of Bahrain’s press industry – hugely supported by Anwar Abdulrahman and Ronnie Middleton.

Between us we built Bahrain’s first daily English language newspaper from nothing into a formidable force for change. Despite challenging times for the print industry, I am very optimistic that, in tandem with online sites, it can still sustain significant reach and clout.

“However, fake news pumped out constantly on social media does sicken me. Gone are the days when a newspaper was the main source of reliable, truthful news. An editor could control the veracity and honesty of every word he or she published. Now everyone thinks they can be journalists, so by the time a story is read in morning editions, several false and embellished

“I would like to think that my efforts helped take English-language journalism in Bahrain to another level, and even into a golden era. I believe I have helped lay the groundwork in promoting press freedoms and reforms in Bahrain – helped by an amazingly enlightened King and Crown Prince who promise a bright future with vision.

versions may have already been circulated online!

“We must always strive to set the standard for ethical journalism and freedom of expression in Bahrain and regionally.”

As the only British editor-in-chief in the Middle East at the time of his appointment, Mr. Williams worked tirelessly to strengthen the bond between his home and adopted nation.

The GDN often worked closely with the British Embassy and the large British expat community in the Kingdom, whilst also involving itself in various Commonwealth Office surveys and initiatives. One particular highlight of his career was documenting the Queen’s visit to Bahrain in 1979.

Mr. Williams reserved his final words for the Queen. He said: “The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is immensely important to me as it marks the first time a British monarch has spent an unprecedented 70 years on the throne. I for one will definitely be attending functions and street parties here in the UK – as I hope will many Brits in Bahrain. What a milestone! I also look forward to visits here by members of Bahrain’s royal family, whose close relationship with three generations of British royals has spanned decades and endured.

“I made a point of giving priority to any UK royal visit to Bahrain, and vice-versa, liaising closely with UK and local officials,” he said. We also carried many articles promoting Bahrain and British cultural activities, which I would often place with UK publications, news agencies, radio and TV stations. The famous Windsor Horse Show, sponsored by His Majesty King Hamad, was always a key fixture for example.

18 June 2022

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Here for

UK in Bahrain

the

People

The Very Reverend Christopher Butt served as Dean of St Christopher’s Cathedral from 2009 until his retirement in 2019. He has returned to Bahrain for a brief period to help with the transition of the next Dean, and we couldn’t miss this chance to speak with one of the most important facilitators of strengthening cultural, religious and historical ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the UK.

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hen did the Church of England first establish a presence in the region?

The cathedral was built in 1953. Therefore, it’s almost a parallel of the time of the Queen’s coronation. At the time it wasn’t actually a cathedral but became so in 1986, which also meant it became the seat of the Bishop. It still remains an Anglican Church, part of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf.

As an Anglican Church, what are the connections with the UK both, historic and modern?

The Anglican Church initiative came initially from English people who were here in Bahrain, largely serving in government-related posts wanting a place of Anglican worship. That sowed the seeds, although it’s important to note that the ‘Anglican’ Church is not just English, it’s a worldwide communion. That is reflected by the whole range of different nationalities which make up our congregation. I feel that the English language crosses all sorts of boundaries and brings together nations and particularly nations of the Commonwealth.

What are the main duties of a priest at St Christopher’s?

The main duty is to provide regular worship.

There is a daily service providing pastoral care to all who come under our ambit. Even if the diary for the day is not full, you will always find on any particular day that there are people who come just to talk or are in need in some sort of way, and we of course help in any way we can.

During your time here, what did you enjoy most about living and working in Bahrain?

I think what stands out first and foremost is the generosity and the hospitality that we received here from the royal family and the wider Bahraini community. I also highly appreciated interacting with the sheer mix of people, www.bahrainthismonth.com

from those that are well-off to those that are struggling, from local businessmen to migrant labourers because they are all part of our community and we must respond equally to them.

Can you tell us about your own celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee?

We’re obviously sharing the occasion with the community, so we will be at various celebrations. The big one at the Cathedral is the Commonwealth Songs of Praise event which we are hosting, and this is very deliberately ‘Commonwealth’ and not ‘British’ because of the cosmopolitan nature of our community. When I read the list of nationalities represented, it really is quite exciting to see who will be here.

We’ve got representation from Pakistan, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, South Africa, the UK and more.

Can you share your thoughts about the Platinum Jubilee itself and what it means to you personally since the Queen is the head of the Church of England?

One of the themes of our Commonwealth event will be to feature songs from several of Her Majesty’s Christmas broadcasts, which over the years have reflected her own deep, personal faith. I also believe her position, or role, of service comes across very powerfully in these songs.

One of the readings we will have is her vow that she made to the people of the Commonwealth in a broadcast from South Africa on her 21st birthday. Then, she was a young woman realising that she had a lifetime ahead of her dedicated to the service of God, of her people and to the people of the Commonwealth. And I think she’s just a marvellous example to everyone, a much better example than our political leaders I have to say.

June 2022 19

UK in Bahrain

A GREAT PARTNER OF TRADE

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ith more than 50 years of international business acumen operating in fields such as banking, motoring, manufacturing and more, Khalid Rashid Al Zayani is one of the Kingdom’s most successful businessmen.

It is no surprise that he has been elected Chairman of the BBBF numerous times, one of the most important institutions to foster trade between Bahrain and the UK. He explained: “We do a lot of business with the United Kingdom, such as being the exclusive distributor of Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles in the Kingdom, the history of which goes back to the 1940s. One of our companies, Midal Cables, has also manufactured and fitted high tension cables to refit the grid of the UK all the way from Scotland to Wales.”

The BBBF was founded in 1995, more as a social club comprising just 16 members, than a business club. Under Mr. Zayani’s leadership, not only has it grown in membership to approximately 500 members, but it has

As the Chairman of the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF), Khalid Rashid Al Zayani is one of the most important figures in relations between the Kingdom and the UK. We sat down for an insightful chat as part of our special look at bilateral relations between the two nations. considerably improved business and trade between the UK and Bahrain and set an example for others to follow.

The Duke of York presented Mr. Zayani with an honorary OBE in 2013, something he treasures to this day.

Mr. Zayani said: “I believe the BBBF has helped the Bahrain population to engage more with British businesses and vice versa for British businessmen to network in the Gulf. We have specialised groups which meet directly with those figures, whether it is in engineering, banking, industry, trading and many more fields where we have knowledgeable figures who can share advice.

Offering congratulations to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee, he said: “There isn’t a royalty in Europe as high in class as much as the British royalty and Her Majesty has ruled for 70 years as a true leader to her nation in both war and peace. People look up to Her Majesty and I had the honour and pleasure of meeting her when she came to visit us in Bahrain in 1979.

“Now that Britain is out of the European Commission, they are no longer curbed by regulations imposed on them. Therefore, we can have a free trade agreement with them and this is something we are looking forward to as we have a special relationship with the UK. There isn’t a Bahraini who doesn’t aspire to go there, own property or have some sort of business interests there.

“I was then the Chairman of Bahrain Historical and Archaeological Society and I took her around some sites. I was so impressed by her knowledge of the site before she arrived and I said to her: “You’ve done your homework.” The Duke of Edinburgh then turned to me and said: “She always does her homework!” I shall always remember her kindness to me when I was a young man at that time.”

“I believe there is a natural relationship between Bahrain and the UK anyway. It’s easy to look at Britain as a great partner both in business and tradition. Even our police department, national defence and education sectors have strong British DNA in them.

“Personally, I have a huge affinity for their quality cars. I love the UK’s history of quality engineering. Most of the exceptional technology we see in Formula 1 for example is processed in the UK and the standards of research and development are so high.”

20 June 2022

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UK in Bahrain

BOOSTING BUSINESS TIES As Deputy Chair of the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF), Paula Boast is instrumental in managing the membership and strategising for the future. We spoke with her to find out more about her efforts to boost Bahraini-British relations.

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riginally from Northern Ireland, Ms. Boast has been an international construction engineering and projects lawyer for 20 years. She first arrived in Bahrain in 2006 to focus on iconic Bahrain projects such as Diyar Al Muharraq, Riffa Views, Durrat Al Bahrain and Bahrain Bay. She is now a partner with Charles Russell Speechlys and the current head of its Middle East projects team for the region, a job which she combines with her work for the BBBF. She said: “I joined the BBBF in 2008 as a member. It formed a key part of my projects networking and business development plan.

I volunteered for the Committee until an election year came around in 2010 and I was voted in as Special Interest Groups Officer. I was responsible for delivering key events on a sector specific basis such as banking and finance, real estate, security, oil and gas etc. In 2014 I became Deputy Chair, and remain so to this day.

“In terms of responsibilities, I am very hands on! We have a great team at the BBBF. A key part of my role is strategy and planning, and then delegation and management. So that could be for key events and our diary programme, website upgrades, communication and PR developments, diplomatic and trade liaison initiatives, meeting with incoming businesses and cross regional facilitation. It boils down to thinking about how we evolve, how we grow, how we stay relevant, and how we take BBBF into the future.”

One of the BBBF’s core aims is to promote networking and boost business ties internationally, something it does through events and conferences. Following the pandemic, more in-person meetings are expected to resume.

When asked how the BBBF has improved relations between the UK and Bahrain, Ms Boast explained: “Firstly, we operate a forum that allows people as a priority to actually

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meet each other and to connect. In turn that allows them to build relationships. This remains a key factor in doing business in the Kingdom. We have always been business ‘friendly’ and we remain so.

“We have members who span 20 or more years with us which is testament to our formula that networking is a cornerstone to business success. We have also driven forward cross-regional initiatives with other business groups in the region which is vital. From regional connections our members can also build global connections. So, the reach is beyond just British and Bahraini businesses.”

The Forum’s major event of the year is the Poppy Ball in November, with a further key annual event to be added in the first half of 2023. This month, there will also be special celebrations held for Her Majesty

Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

Ms Boast said: “On behalf of everyone at the BBBF, we would like to pass to Her Majesty our heartfelt congratulations on her Platinum Jubilee. From a business perspective I think I speak for all of our members when I say that Her Majesty’s work ethic, adaptability and resilience stands as a shining example to us all. We have been very lucky to have had the support of Her Majesty and the Royal Family throughout the BBBF’s history and we look forward to seeing that continue.

“The Platinum Jubilee marks a new chapter not just for Her Majesty but also for us at the BBBF. After 27 years, we now start our transition to becoming the British Chamber of Commerce Bahrain. We have a lot of work to do in the year ahead but we are very excited about the future.”

June 2022 21

bystander

Launch of the New Bentley Bentayga S

Bentley Bahrain held a launch event for the new Bentley Bentayga S - the latest model to join the extraordinary Bentley SUV range. Guests were treated to a first look at the striking car at the launch held at The Royal Golf Club, Riffa Views.

22 June 2022

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UK in Bahrain

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Sensational,

Stylish and Sporty

Bentley Motors is one of the most sought-after luxury car brands in the world. The company’s headquarters in Crewe, UK, is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production. However, it also has a home in Bahrain thanks to the iconic marque’s exclusive distributor Behbehani Brothers, who this month launched the new Bentayga S at The Royal Golf Club, Riffa Views. Bahrain This Month was there to see the new model in all its shiny glory.

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ith striking design cues and unique detailing, the Bentayga S is the latest version of Bentley’s benchmark, go-anywhere luxury SUV, designed and engineered in the UK and manufactured in Bentley’s carbon-neutral factory in Crewe.

Building on Bentley’s established ‘S’ brand, this new enhanced sports Bentayga provides an even more engaging drive, with Bentley Dynamic Ride active antiroll control fitted as standard and an enhanced Sports chassis mode. A 15 percent increase in damping stiffens the chassis and provides a platform for a more dynamic SPORT mode ESC tune.

Bentayga S also features a revised visual presence through the distinctive addition of black details, and a more sporting soundtrack courtesy of a newly designed, free-flowing sports exhaust – both of which increase the Bentayga’s already imposing presence on the road.

The Bentayga S is distinguished by a range of distinctive exterior features, including new unique 22” wheels with three finishes, innovative ‘S’ badges positioned on the lower edge of the front doors, and Blackline Specification as standard.

Inside a luxuriously refined cabin, bespoke style can be found with new seats, unique stitching, a new colour split and colour accents on the instrument panel, centre console, door pads and seat bolsters as well.

Bentley’s sector-defining and market-leading luxury SUV is available in four, five or seven seat configurations and this fourth model in the Bentayga range joins the efficient plug-in Hybrid, the 4.0-litre turbocharged V8, and the powerful 6.0-litre, 12-cylinder Speed.

The Bentayga S features Bentley’s renowned 4.0-litre, twin-scroll turbocharged V8 petrol engine, combining immense power with impressive fuel economy. The latest-generation engine develops 542bhp and 770Nm of torque, with a 0-60mph (0–100 kmph) time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 180mph (290kmph). This class-leading performance is complemented by a range of 654km, with CO2 emissions of 294g/km.

Of course, with this model’s sporty design, how the car drives is of utmost importance. In SPORT mode, there is improved steering feel, greater turn-in response and further reduced body-roll is possible due to an additional 15 percent increase in air suspension damping and a unique Electronic Stability Control and Bentley Dynamic Ride tune.

A new sports exhaust is included as standard, with freeflowing primary and secondary pipes improving flow and combining with reduced perforations in the muffler to deliver enhanced character and volume, giving a more performance-oriented feel.

The Bentayga’s comprehensive off-road abilities remain, with the optional All-Terrain Specification bringing four dedicated off-road modes (Snow and Wet Grass, Dirt and Gravel, Mud and Trail, and Sand) along with a 500mm wading depth.

As far as infotainment goes, the Bentayga S shares a fully digital driver’s information panel with the Bentayga Speed, with pronounced dial graphics that take influence from high-end chronographs. The display brings a contemporary look to the cockpit, can be customised to the driver’s requirements and features real- time lighting effects with elegant animations.

The high-resolution screen can be viewed in either Classic or Expanded format. In Classic, the display shows the traditional two-dial design of speedometer and tachometer. In Expanded, the right dial is replaced with an area for maps and media information.

For more information on this spectacular Bentley, call 17 459-999.

June 2022 23

BBBForum Established 1995 in Bahrain

Congratulates Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the Occasion of her Platinum Jubilee

Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) “Business Networking at its Best - Celebrating 27 years in Bahrain" Join us at www.bbbforum.org

UK in Bahrain

F R I E N D S When it comes to motorsport, the relationship between Bahrain and the UK has always been incredibly strong. We spoke to Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of Bahrain International Circuit, to find out more about the fascinating history the two nations share both, on and off the track.

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he Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II marks the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne in 1952. By coincidence, 1952 also happened to be the year that the Bahrain Motor Federation was formed, which formalised Bahrain’s growing interest and participation in motorsport. The club’s first Vice President was an Englishman, Sir Charles Belgrave, and to this day, 70 years later, the links between the two countries remain significant and varied.

Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa said: “Since its beginnings in 1950, Formula 1’s spiritual home has been the United Kingdom.

Silverstone held the first ever Grand Prix back in 1950 and is a circuit that remains at the heart of the sport. Further, not only is the UK home to seven of the current F1 teams as well as being the global headquarters of F1 itself, the vast majority of suppliers and manufacturers that provide technology to Formula 1 are based in the UK, in an area known as Motorsport Valley.

“To be even involved in the pinnacle of motorsport therefore intrinsically ties you to the UK.”

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Bahrain’s motorsport ties to the UK stretch beyond just F1 and is based on deep-rooted historical and long-lasting ties which endure to this day. Current partnerships with UK organisations such as Prodrive have been going for decades, stretching back to the days of rally driving in the early 1980’s and continue to this day with the Bahrain Raid Xtreme Dakar Rally entry.

Bahrain’s part-ownership of the UK-based McLaren marked, through its sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, not only covers F1 but championships all around the world including Indycar, Extreme E and, from next year, Formula E. The BIC itself has had links with the UK since it was first opened in 2004. The surface of the track is made of greywacke aggregate, a special type of stone shipped to Bahrain from Bayston Hill quarry in Shropshire. This surface material is highly acclaimed by circuit bosses and Formula 1 drivers for the high level of grip it offers.

involved with the Motorsport Industry Association in the UK, which offers a platform for us to engage with motorsport businesses from the UK and beyond. Given the UK’s role as the current and historic centre of motorsport, we always believe we can benefit from those experiences and individuals and continue to learn as a motorsport venue.

“Further, it is always a pleasure to welcome the many British visitors who choose to come and visit the BIC. Every year, we welcome guests from all over the world to the many events we hold annually at the circuit and there is never a shortage of the British contingent, especially during F1. Outside of the GCC, our biggest fanbase every year comes from the UK, bringing their passion and understanding of decades of motorsport.

“Finally, we offer Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as well as citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, our warmest congratulations and best wishes on this special occasion.”

Shaikh Salman explained: “At the circuit itself, we retain strong ties with a number of UK organisations within the sport. We are actively

June 2022 25

UK in Bahrain

GRAFF An ode to the formidable force of nature and the majesty of natural diamonds and gems, Graff’s high jewellery campaign for 2022 is an unrivalled display of high jewellery wonder that expresses the pure fantasy of the most fabulous jewels in the world.

Photographed by rising star Carlijn Jacobs, GRAFFABULOUS presents a peerless trove of extraordinary stones, showcased in more than

Introducing Graffabulous Graff’s new high jewellery campaign harnesses the fantastical beauty of one of the greatest gatherings of gemstones ever seen in a high jewellery collection.

80 pieces of high jewellery, each one of a kind.

All of the precious stones for which the House is renowned appear in the campaign, revealing the full spectrum of rarity at Graff. An unprecedented 3,600 carats of diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires are featured, making this among the greatest gatherings of gems ever seen in a single high jewellery campaign.

A TOUR-DE-FORCE OF DESIGN AND CRAFTSMANSHIP Some of the most audacious jewels ever crafted by the House, dreams and desire converge in these intensely precious new creations, which reveal the true artistry of high jewellery at Graff. Displaying a never-before-seen level of intricacy, diamonds and gemstones are forged into unique designs with myriad layers of detail that push the possibilities of Graff’s craft like never before.

Necklaces feature prominently in the collection, carefully orchestrated to display a captivating 26 June 2022

rhythm that flows with a beautiful fluency from one gem to the next. “As designers, we listen to the songs the stones are singing, focusing on the music and the rhythm,” says Anne-Eva Geffroy, Design Director at Graff. “Like the ripples that emanate outwards when a stone is dropped in water, the tempo increases as the jewels graduate in size until they reach a crescendo: a central motif where the full force of these natural gemstones is concentrated.”

Contemporary motifs first seen in the Tribal

collection have been further explored and expanded upon, challenging Graff’s artisans to custom cut diamonds into innovative shapes to realise these creative arrangements of stones, which are breath-taking in their threedimensionality. Illustrating the excellence of Graff’s craftsmanship and highlighting their textural complexity, an array of high jewellery rings sculpt the light into brave, new forms, with contrasting diamond cuts enhancing the exhilarating sense of perspective. www.bahrainthismonth.com

UK in Bahrain

A SUPERB COLLECTION OF DIAMONDS AND GEMSTONES The House of Graff has always stood for the finest, the rarest and only the very best gems, and in these fantasy pieces, this passion for the exceptional really comes to the fore. Every high jewellery creation begins with the stones and their power to enthral, from a perfect 38 carat D Flawless ExEx Type Ila cushion cut white diamond to an unheated 109 carat Sri Lankan sapphire, a rare treasure that is emblematic of this unparalleled collection of high jewellery.

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Equally sublime is Graff›s virtuoso use of colour of the most precious kind. Collected and cared for over many years, breath-taking sapphires, emeralds, rubies and yellow diamonds are masterfully combined in blazing displays of bravura. These include a phenomenal collection of Fancy Vivid Yellow diamonds, transformed by the House›s designers into the fiery highlight of a masterpiece necklace.

June 2022 27

UK in Bahrain

THE PLACE OF USEFUL LEARNING Elvin Joseph, the Director of Business Development for the University of Strathclyde in Bahrain, spoke to us about the offerings from the university›s international Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme.

Can you tell us about University of Strathclyde and how long it has been operating in Bahrain and the region?

The university is based in Glasgow, Scotland, and was founded by Professor John Anderson in 1796. We have had a presence here in the Middle East for more than 25 years, beginning with Bahrain and Dubai in 1995 and in Oman since 2001.

What are some of the most recent coveted academic awards won by the university?

One of the most recent awards was our third Queen’s Anniversary Prize. The award, which is the highest national honour in the sector, was conferred on Strathclyde for excellence in advanced manufacturing. In 2020, we also received the accolade for its excellence in Energy Innovation.

Furthermore, we are the only university to win the ‘University of the Year’ award twice, in 2012 and 2019.

Can you elaborate on some of the different programmes offered by Strathclyde in Bahrain and regionally?

We have two different programmes running in Bahrain. The first is our MBA which has been running for more than 25 years. Then, in 2020, 28 June 2022

we launched the Strathclyde FinTech programme in Bahrain and this has been a huge success in shaping the economic landscape of the Kingdom.

The University of Strathclyde’ motto is ‘The Place of Useful Learning’. What does this actually represent?

This was decreed by John Anderson when he founded the university. We here are connected in terms of business, industry and a high number of professional accrediting bodies. This ensures that students are updated, as well as guaranteea our programmes are up-to-date and fit for purpose. This helps us build the skills that students need for their career opportunities and engaging with professionals, so we can set them up for future careers.

Furthermore, the programme is constantly being refined so that it will be of value for students throughout their lifetime. The skills and knowledge they gain from us will be useful in their workplace, long after their academic studies are over.

How many students from Bahrain and the region have successfully completed Strathclyde’s programmes?

Over the span of the last 25 years we have had

more than 6,000 alumni residents across the Middle East, with more than a thousand of them from Bahrain. One of the quirks of Bahrain is that we have students coming in from Saudi Arabia who study here as well.

Why should people choose Strathclyde over alternative MBA programmes?

Simply put, the University of Strathclyde is a multi-award winning university, as I mentioned earlier. We have been particularly commended as the Business School of the Year, the Workplace of the Year, and most importantly, our Executive MBA was ranked in the Financial Times’ Top 100 ranking of the best international executive programmes and in the Top 10 of the UK. These are outstanding achievements which I believe are unrivalled in the Middle East by anywhere else.

What message does the university have for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee celebration?

On behalf of the University of Strathclyde, I would like to congratulate Her Majesty on the remarkable Platinum Jubilee milestone, and we would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to her for her continuing support to the university. www.bahrainthismonth.com

International Enterprising Impactful Leading Strathclyde The final word in business education

As a well-established top 10 UK business school* within a leading international technological University, Strathclyde understands the business needs of organisations: from start-ups and SMEs to global players.

Our triple accredited and globally ranked Executive MBA is available at our international centres in Dubai, Oman and Bahrain. We also offer a dynamic, fully-rounded and innovative portfolio of specialist postgraduate programmes. New for 2020, in partnership with Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF), is the MSc Financial Technology, fully delivered in Bahrain on a part time basis.

Make Strathclyde your destination

www.strath.ac.uk/business *Financial Times European Business School rankings 2018

UK in Bahrain

PAVING THE WAY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Dr. Abdulla Al Hawaj, the Founding President of Ahlia University, is one of the top educational leaders in the Middle East. He spoke to us about his studies in the UK and his lifelong mission to improve higher education opportunities in Bahrain.

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an you give us a brief overview of your career to date?

After receiving my Masters and then PhD from the University of Manchester in 1980, I spent 25 years at the University of Bahrain holding posts such as Chairman of both the Mathematics and Computer Sciences departments, as well as the Dean of Student Affairs.

Most proudly, I was appointed – by royal decree – as a member of the Supreme Committee for the Kingdom National Charter, as the coordinator of the Educational Committee. Since 2001, I have also served as the President of the Bahrain Association for Academics.

In 2001, I became the founder of the first private university in Bahrain. This came directly as a result of being voted and approved by the Bahraini people in the National Charter, whereby in the first chapter it says universities are a beacon of knowledge and the government of Bahrain should support the establishment of private universities.

How rewarding was your time studying in the UK? Although I speak English well, going to Manchester was not an easy task at the beginning. One reason why I wanted to go was to be able to watch Manchester United! My other options were Swansea and Aberdeen but I really wanted to watch them play. I’m glad I did because I had an amazing, rewarding 30 June 2022

experience. I really wanted to transfer all the knowledge I received there to my people in Bahrain, so when I came back, I wanted to be a professor in a university and that was my sole goal.

My father asked me when I returned if I wanted to be a merchant or an academic. Bear in mind I come from a business background family, working myself since I was six years old.

But I knew I had to forge my own path and I chose academia.

What do you consider to be your most memorable achievements in the field of education?

When I was Dean of Students and Registration at UoB, I was very frustrated because many applicants could not get a place in the university. There was only one university, so many applicants, especially women, could not get a place and it seemed unfair that they would have to leave the country and travel far and wide to get a degree bearing in mind the costs and logistics involved. From there, I had the idea of building more universities in Bahrain. In 1991, that’s where the project of Ahlia University started. The government at the time was not open to the idea of a private university, but I never gave up. Once His Majesty nominated me for the National Charter, I received approval within three weeks.

Fast-forward to the present day and Bahrain is a hub of excellence for higher education. We have 15 private universities and three

government universities, and I have achieved my dream.

What prompted you to establish an alliance with Brunel University in the UK, offering PhD courses?

As a new, private university, I was worried that parents would not be convinced to join us. Why would they join us over UoB with its government backing? So I looked for a partner with an extremely high reputation which would give us legitimacy. Brunel is a Londonbased university and Bahrainis really love going to London, and I believe the UK and Bahrain have a special relationship which we do not have with any other nation.

Do you have any words of congratulations for Her Majesty on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee?

I am very pleased for her. We are very fond of the UK Royal Family here in Bahrain, so I will take this opportunity to wish her a long life, great success and the very best of health. www.bahrainthismonth.com

UK in Bahrain

CENTRE OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE St. Christopher’s School is one of the Kingdom’s premier British curriculum educational institutes with a history stretching back more than 60 years.

Principal Simon Watson spoke to us about the school’s links to the UK and its plans for the historic Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

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imon Watson’s career has taken him from the UK to Copenhagen, New Zealand, Malaysia and now the Kingdom of Bahrain, where he has been the Principal of St. Christopher’s School since 2018.

age to become accustomed to others.”

Since then, the school has continued to win awards and maintain its position at the very top of international rankings, with Spear’s magazine ranking it as one of the top 100 schools in the world.

Furthermore, the school hosts fairs in which they bring representatives from international universities to help support students with their applications for higher education, while the school itself has specialised university counsellors and heads of year to facilitate decision-making.

One of its proudest achievements is fostering a diverse student base of approximately 2,300 students comprising more than 70 nationalities, including many of Bahrain’s British expats.

It is an exciting time for the school, which has spent the last couple of years preparing and perfecting its ‘Education for a Shared Humanity’ curriculum which focuses on six key facets: Academic, Metacognition, Service, Enterprise, Digital and Wellbeing.

Mr. Watson says: “The school was established in 1961 as a product of St. Christopher’s Cathedral, and by 1975 the constitution of the school was put together, which we still adhere to now as much as possible 60 years later.

“One of the founding principles mentioned is that the school must offer an education that will allow students to go back and pick up their education in the UK. This is something we still adhere to and in fact, last year 45 percent of all of our graduates who went on to further education went to British universities.

“I think intercultural understandings are really important. Our mission statement is education for a shared humanity, which is all about learning and living with other people, so we try to celebrate that cultural diversity and it’s important socially and educationally for students at a young 32 June 2022

The school also chooses to be inspected by the British Schools Overseas body and uses the British curriculum and examinations for its students.

Mr. Watson explains: “We have a programme in place where we help students who have not lived or even visited the UK before to undergo that transition. This includes basic things like transport, food and how to register with a doctor’s surgery.”

The school is very proud of its British influences, and this month plans to host a number of events to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

A ‘red, white and blue’ day will be held to celebrate the occasion and the children of the primary school campus in Saar have written to the Queen. There will also be ‘street parties’ held within the school with bunting, flags and more, which the British Ambassador HE Roderick Drummond will attend.

Furthermore, a brass band will be playing, there will be educational assemblies about the 70-year historical reign and a version of the ‘Great British Bake-off’.

Mr. Watson says: “On the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, St. Christopher’s community congratulates and celebrates Queen Elizabeth II on her momentous achievement. As a community, we join together with millions of other families around the world to celebrate The Queen and her 70-year reign.” www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

St Chris ‘Party In The Park 2’ - Celebrating 60 Years Of Excellence In Education St. Christopher’s School, Bahrain hosted a huge celebration for its 60th Diamond Jubilee at its Saar campus. Starting from its humble beginnings 60 years ago, St Christopher’s School has been a cornerstone of the Bahrain community since 1961. Since then, St Christopher’s School has continued to grow and positively impact the Bahrain community.

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

From providing a world-class academic and extracurricular foundation to Bahrain’s youth to schoolwide community and global charity projects, St Christopher’s School continues to proudly nurture excellence and achievement in all its students.

The Anniversary event welcomed almost 3,000 members of its community for an unforgettable

evening of music and celebration. Families gathered on the school’s outdoor sports pitch with blankets and picnics to enjoy the incredible musical talents from hundreds of students and staff. The community enjoyed performances from well-known St Chris bands; UNPLUGGED, the St Chris Big Band, Jawhara, the St. Chris Staff Band and the School Choirs.

June 2022 33

UK in Bahrain

AN AFFINITY WITH THE

UK

Akram Miknas is amongst the most successful businessmen in the Middle East. The Bahraini national runs one of the most successful advertising agencies in the region, Promoseven Holdings, and has a number of other business interests around the globe. He spoke to Bahrain This Month about his affinity with the UK.

Akram’s sister, Baria Alamuddin with HRH Prince William at a reception in London.

Akram with his niece Amal Alamuddin and her husband, George Clooney.

Y

ou have extremely close relations with the UK. Can you tell us how much the UK has been part of both you and your family’s lives?

The UK has been hugely important for me! I will never forget my first visit to London where I took a cab from Heathrow to a small apartment next to Paddington Station. The first thing I wanted to do was go up to Buckingham Palace and wait in line to see Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She came out onto the balcony to wave at us and I’ve never seen so much joy among a crowd; everyone was overjoyed to see her.

The UK has been my second home ever since my family escaped Lebanon during the civil war there. They decided on London as a rescue and since then I have bought multiple properties there. I studied for a while in Scotland too to learn more about exhibitions and then in 1982 my advertising business needed a production house, which I started in London as it truly is the most international city in the world.

Even to this day, my sister still lives in London, as does my niece Amal Clooney and her husband George. They all have British citizenship and are very proud to be so.

I have only met the Queen once since, when she was decorating a family member with an 34 June 2022

award, and I was amazed by her incredible strength and presence.

What are your thoughts about the current state of business between Bahrain and Britain?

I think business ties are still strong because Bahrain is considered an important financial hub in the Middle East, while London is the hub of the world. I have personally invested in the British School of Bahrain and have another British-curriculum school called Quest which I am very proud of.

You are renowned as the founder of one of the biggest advertising companies in the Middle East. Do you have a particular British-based ad campaign you are particularly proud of?

Definitely! The best campaign I ever did was for HSBC Bank. It was a beautiful campaign because it featured an Arab traveller on his camel with a British guide. The story of the ad is that the traveller says: “Without you, I’d be lost”, and the guide says: “Without the bank, I wouldn’t be here!”

We also did work for British Airways in and I still have many close friends and contacts from the work we did with them.

Baria Alamuddin with HRH Prince Charles at a reception.

What is your favourite British brand?

This is an easy one! It has to be Jaguar. I love their cars; I collect E-Types and currently have four. It’s the most beautiful car in the world, a marriage of impeccable design and engineering, coupled with the perfect match of inner and outer beauty.

Do you have any words for Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee?

From my very first day in the UK, I have always loved the Queen and the royal family.

What she has done for the country and the people of the UK in terms of stability, vision and understanding democracy and working within it is incredible. She’s an example for all of humanity and the world is a much safer place with her in it.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

UK in Bahrain

Cherished Memories & New Beginnings W

Bahrain This Month’s former motoring correspondent and a resident of the Kingdom for more than 40 years, Dick Potter, discusses his new venture back in the UK and reminisces on his time spent on our beautiful island.

hen Dick Potter and his wife, Shirley, left the desert behind for a new life in the historic city of York, they took with them decades of memories made in Bahrain.

They are now the proud owners of the Perky Peacock, a café located in one of the oldest buildings in York. Barker Tower was built in the 14th Century, originally for the purpose of collecting a toll from visitors entering the city, and sits on the banks of the River Ouse. In a famous story, Florence Nightingale once waited there for a ferry to take her across the water.

Dick said: “It was with great sadness that we decided to leave Bahrain. We had made a lot of friends there during the course of our lives and we knew we wouldn’t be seeing them for a while. Bahrain is such a cultural society with Arabic, Indian, European, American and many more blending together in every aspect of society. The UK is multicultural too of course, but it is perhaps not as pervasive.

“We left with trepidation as we hadn’t run a café before, so it was a step into the unknown, but thankfully it’s worked out thanks to some great staff and customers.

“Having the café means you are naturally very sociable, as you are constantly building relationships with your clientele. Being on the river is an added dimension; we have a licence for beverages outside and there is an atmosphere like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. York is absolutely steeped in history and I encourage any readers to visit and breathe it in, take a walk around the city walls, visit the

36 June 2022

Minster, or any of the other countless historic sites.”

The couple live just outside York in a farm, alongside their cats which were also relocated from Bahrain. Their furry friends love their new home more than their owners, as they can now walk around the fields freely in cooler weather rather than limiting their ventures in the Bahrain heat.

Speaking of exploring, this is one area which Dick is able to enjoy to a greater extent than possible in a tiny country such as Bahrain. A petrolhead he will always remain, as he shipped his beloved Ferrari 430 back to England with him.

He said: “To be able to take the car out on country roads and stop at a pub for lunch and a coffee is wonderful. The petrol prices aren’t though!

“What we love about being in England is being close to my father again. Funnily enough, we even like the weather, even though it’s rainy and cold far more often than we’re used to. Variety is the spice of life and we do get that with seasons.

“Admittedly, the one thing we do miss above all is the boating. It’s just not something you can really do to the same extent in the UK. It used to be wonderful having everyone gathered round on cruises where you could socialise easily.

“However, since we are on a river, I do want to get a smaller boat so we can enjoy being out on the water again. After spending 40 years surrounded by it, you do grow a natural affinity for it.”

Currently, the Potters are looking forward to the Jubilee celebrations this month. They will decorate their tower with Union Jack bunting, have special themed cakes and will play music outside on the river front.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

UK in Bahrain NADEEN SCHOOL:

CHILD-CENTRED AND INCLUSIVE Nadeen School, established in 1977, is well known for its child-centred, holistic approach to education. Nadeen School, which is rated as “Outstanding” by the Bahrain Quality Authority (BQA), is a founding member of the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) and an accredited British School Overseas school (BSO) recognised by the British Government and British Department for Education.

It is also Bahrain’s only inclusive school where all children are celebrated for their unique talents and abilities. The school truly believes that being welcoming and accepting of all children makes for a better schooling and community experience for all. Currently, 400 children (aged two to 11 years) are enrolled in classes from Pre-Nursery to Year 6. The school is truly international with over 50 nationalities represented within its population.

To celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee and mark the occasion at the new campus, the Student Construction Crew and Deputy Ambassador

www.bahrainthismonth.com

from the British Embassy planted trees at the new site as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy campaign.

After years of popular demand to expand, the school will be moving to a new, purpose-built campus in the heart of Dilmunia and extending over time to become a throughschool up to Year 13 next year. The new building will house state-of-the-art facilities for sports, science, design and technology, music, drama and performance, and art. Large outdoor play areas and learning terraces will provide a natural learning environment.

There will also be amazing opportunities for extra-curricular activities, training facilities, and community engagement. The campus will also incorporate elements from the existing school: the original climbing frame from 1980, mud kitchens and fairy garden, and the tree houses, gardens, and farm areas…and its trademark “small school – big family” motto.

June 2022 37

UK in Bahrain

Evergreen

ENVIRONMENTALISM

Environment Arabia Consultancy Services and Reef Arabia are Bahraini companies operating in the Kingdom of Bahrain, owned and managed by a Bahraini Environmental Specialist, Mrs. Halel Engineer.

E

nvironment Arabia Consultancy Services and Reef Arabia were established in 2001, with a mission to assist its clients to achieve sustainable development, through providing the highest quality environmental services. Today, the Company is listed as a Grade A Environmental Consultancy by Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Environment (SCE).

Environment Arabia has been at the forefront of environmental sustainability, serving the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Middle East region and working with some of the largest global companies and clients, and investing in outstanding environmental specialists and marine experts who provide an unmatched service, making it one of the few environmental consultancies with a fully equipped team, marine equipment and vessels in the Gulf.

It delivers high quality environmental consultancy services to a wide spectrum of businesses and industries, including: government, oil and gas, petrochemicals, ports and maritime, power generation, land reclamation and dredging, wastewater treatment, steel and aluminium manufacture, civil infrastructure, transportation systems, waste management infrastructure, etc.

A broad range of services are offered, including: Environmental & Social Impact 38 June 2022

Assessments (ESIAs), environmental management plans, Health, Safety and Environmental Impact Assessments (HSEIA), environmental auditing, assessment and modelling of air emissions, greenhouse gas emissions assessment, assessment and modelling of noise emissions, marine ecological and coral reef surveys, marine impact assessment, waste management assessment and planning, ecological impact assessment, soil and groundwater contamination, assessment and remediation, Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) customised training and workshops, compliance and transformation.

Reef Arabia was established in 2012 as a complimentary line of business to EACS, following a government initiative to deploy more than 2600 artificial reef units around the waters of Bahrain.

With its mission to protect and enhance marine life by using innovative and effective artificial reef designs, products and solutions, Reef Arabia is the region’s first provider of a wide range of artificial reef units, including both licensed Reef Ball units and the Company’s own patented design - the Majfara unit.

Reef Arabia offers a range of services, from design and deployment of artificial reef units to more extensive consultations on projects, such as site selection and monitoring. It is the

only company in the Arabian Gulf that operates a full-time, fully equipped manufacturing facility with professionally trained staff capable of supplying a diverse range of quality artificial reef units to anywhere in the region. It is also the only artificial reef company that has a fulltime professional environmental team alongside its reef unit manufacturing facility and vessels. The team has more than 20 years’ experience supporting clients to navigate through the complete process of site selection, reef design, permit applications, consultations, deployment, and monitoring.

Both Environment Arabia & Reef Arabia support the continued education and development in the Kingdom of Bahrain by regularly holding educational sessions with local schools and interested parties and organisations seeking to further their knowledge on current environmental and sustainability matters. The Companies are recognised for their work and have been presented with multiple certificates and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) awards.

With rising popularity in the Middle East region, both EACS and Reef Arabia’s services maintain a focus on high quality and dedication, working tirelessly to deliver projects and help industries and businesses to achieve sustainable development wherever they choose to operate. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of H.M Queen Elizabeth II

Protecting the environment for over 20 years environmentarabia.com

reefarabia.com

UK in Bahrain

A DISTINGUISHED SERVICEMAN Sam Thompson is a distinguished serviceman, with experience in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the London Air Ambulance. He spoke to Bahrain This Month about his new job in the Kingdom and gave us an insight into his training alongside some of the UK’s most prominent royals.

Please can you tell us about yourself and how you came to Bahrain?

I work for the Ministry of Interior as an advisor for the police helicopter unit. They actually headhunted me and invited me over to develop and improve some of the aspects of safety and training with the aviation unit. I took them up on the offer, learnt a little bit about Bahrain beforehand and it’s been an absolute pleasure since.

You were a helicopter pilot in the RAF for 11 years. Can you briefly share the highlights of that assignment?

I do remember certain things such as survival training and counter-interrogation training, which involved being shouted at when extremely cold, wet and having been starved of food for several days. This is standard intense military training which at the time I’m sure I felt were particularly unpleasant, but now as I’m older and with slightly rose-tinted spectacles, I feel very proud to have persevered through that.

I’ve had the privilege and honour to work with some very interesting and professional people.

I’ve led a squadron fly past, at which His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent was there to see the ceremony and it was a privilege being asked to do that considering it was my last 40 June 2022

flight in the RAF. You worked alongside some very famous British Royals for a spell, can you tell us more about that?

Indeed! I have some strange parallels with Prince William actually. We were rather surprised during helicopter training in 2008 to be told that we’d have a special guest, or rather a special colleague, who would be joining us to go through his helicopter training.

He was doing a slightly bespoke course, a little bit different to the rest of us, but we graduated as one unit. We had the privilege of being accompanied by William, his father Prince Charles and Camilla to the ceremony, and because of their attendance it was made extremely special and it is a career high which will stick in my mind forever.

I thought that would be the last I’d see of him in the RAF. However, he did go on to serve in the search and rescue unit, and then quite bizarrely, we ended up leaving the air force at a similar time. I went to fly with the London Air Ambulance, and him being the Duke of Cambridge, he went to fly on the unit based in that county. There was one particular day where I was working on top of the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, which is the major trauma centre for London. We saw

another helicopter coming in, which was not too unusual, so I didn’t think much of it until Prince William stepped out!

I did have some contact with Prince Harry too.

He was in the army, not the air force, but was also a helicopter pilot. I bumped into him on an exercise in Salisbury Plain where he was training in an Apache.

What do you enjoy most about living and working in Bahrain?

I didn’t know too much about Bahrain before I came to work here. What I found incredible is the hospitality and warmth of the Bahraini people I’ve worked with. The weather of course is incredible compared to the UK – my wife particular likes to make the most of it with sunbathing!

Can you please share your thoughts about Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and what it means to you personally as an ex-serviceman?

The Royal Family have an incredibly close connection to the military in the UK, with all branches and regiments having the royal title.

I have a commissioning scroll signed by her personally, which I’m very proud of. The Queen served in the RAF during World War II and all of the princes have served in the arm forces, so I am privileged to share parallels with those. I think they continue to do a really good job and I offer my warmest congratulations. www.bahrainthismonth.com

WIRED FOR SUCCESS

UK in Bahrain

Established in 1976, the Bahrain-based company Universal Electro-Engineering (UNEECO) has consistently adapted and implemented innovations to meet the diverse and changing needs of the region’s electrical and electronics engineering sectors. A large portion of the groundwork for the company’s success was laid by importing products from the UK and Europe.

U

NEECO, which established its first assembly plant in Salmabad, later moved to Mina Salman Industrial Area, where it operated for nearly 15 years, following which it rooted its state-of-the-art facility in BIIP at Bahrain’s Al Hidd Industrial Area.

Since then, the company has earned itself the reputation of being the leading manufacturer of Low Voltage (LV) Switchgear Products and has expanded its import portfolio.

Over the years, UNEECO tied up with various international players in the field of electrical and electronics engineering. “With these international associations, UNEECO delivers quality products and services to the society at par with global practices and standards,” said UNEECO Chairman and Managing Director, Abdulrahman Juma.

One of the companies which UNEECO represents is the UK-based Schneider Electric, which is a world-leading manufacturer of state-of-the-art low-voltage feeder pillars and fuse boards for installation in public distribution networks. These are manufactured in Scarborough, a town in north-east England.

UNEECO’s COO, Jayashankar Viswanathan, explained: “We have proudly worked with the UK for almost three decades, starting with www.bahrainthismonth.com

Schneider’s GenieEvo product range. After that, specifications for certain electrical products changed in Bahrain so we shifted towards importing and selling low voltage fuse boards.

Utilities providers in the Kingdom of Bahrain, to this day, prefer to use these products because of their lasting quality and reliability.

“We are very happy with our enduring co-operation with the Schneider UK team and hope to maintain a partnership with them for many years to come. All of our infrastructure contracts in Bahrain use their UK products, such as mini feeder pillars, and we are in constant contact with Schneider since we place orders regularly multiple times a week.

worth of business with the UK in 2021 alone.

The company has been involved in several recognisable projects and developments using their extensive portfolio of international products. Their imports from the UK in particular were put to use on some of Bahrain’s biggest development projects. These include: AXA Insurance, Bahrain Bay, Kingdom Mall, Once Mall, Abraj Lulu, EWA, Bahrain Airport, Salmaniya Medical Complex – Accident & Emergency Hospital, IKEA, Mall of Dilmunia, Alba, Ministry of Housing, Diyar Al Muharraq, Address Hotel and Marassi NBR.

“We are very happy to be working with UK companies because of the quality and consistency of products. They are also very flexible; whatever we want they are willing to modify or tailor things to the Bahrain market.”

“We’ve made a clear effort to provide our clients with excellent, high-quality products sourced from the finest manufacturers, and also provide leading after-sales service. That’s what our key to success has been – our customer-centric approach and attention to their satisfaction.

In addition to their partnership with Schneider, UNEECO imports other British-made products such as mini feeder pillars, Zettler’s advanced security systems, in particular their Thorn product line, Context Plus smoke detectors from Stockport, UK, and FG Wilson electrical generators also from the UK.

“We hope to continue working with the UK for many years to come. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her Platinum Jubilee. Ruling for 70 years is an incredible achievement and I wish many more years of prosperity for her and her people,” Mr. Juma concluded.

In total, UNEECO did more than GDP3 million June 2022 41

Congratulate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee Anniversary Celebrations We are proud to have prepared a commemorative media project consisting of a documentary film and publication highlighting the close friendship and association between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Bahrain

Film Documentary

Digital Publication

UK in Bahrain

GENERATIONAL TIES Bahrain is home to several family-owned businesses that have steadily grown and enriched the Kingdom’s history of trade and commerce over the years. One such family is the renowned Al Arayedh family, who are able to trace their deep-rooted history over centuries. We spoke to Nasser Al Arayedh, Chairman of Al Arayedh Group Holding (AAGH), who gave us an insight into their close ties with the British community.

Could you please give us an overview of your family›s relationship with the United Kingdom over the last 70 years?

It started with my grandfather – Mansour Al Arayedh – and his pearl trading. He used to export some of his pearls there and then after that, my father went there to study when he was 15. When he came back, he started Bahrain’s first fresh dairy factory in the 1950s and imported all of the goods for the factory such as machinery, cars and bottles from the UK. Myself and my sisters, Jehan and Mariam, also studied in the UK and earned our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees there. In terms of business, we have numerous import contracts with the UK and have an educational joint venture with a UK company.

Of course, we have direct investments in the UK in terms of property, real estate and as a financial hub to invest globally.

What would you say are the key elements that define a British brand, which differentiates it from brands of other countries? What are some of your favourites?

I think British brands have an element of heritage, creativity and integrity. I love British tea and when I’m in Bahrain I always take the opportunity to have some if offered. I also like British shopping brands such as Boots and Tesco which are

renowned worldwide for their wide range of products.

Where is your favourite place to visit or stay in the UK? Of course, whenever I travel to the UK, the base is always in London. It has to be because that›s where our investments and properties are. I also like some places in the south not too far from there, such as Bournemouth and Torquay.

What else would you like the British-Bahraini community to know about your connection with the UK? Is there anything special you›d like to divulge?

As a group, we have a long history with the UK and we really do see it as the financial hub of Europe and even the world. We are guided by advisors to seek opportunities globally, but the once piece of advice they give us is to ensure a strong relationship with the UK first and foremost.

Do you have any words for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee?

I would like to congratulate Her Majesty on the 70th anniversary of her reign, and I wish her a long life and the people of Great Britain prosperity and future development.

The Al Arayedh family has a relationship with the UK that goes back to the beginning of the 20th century up to today and started with pearl trading. Here, Mr. Al Arayedh shows a milk glass bottle that was imported from the UK in the mid-1950s from United Glass Bottle Manufacturers Ltd. to their fresh dairy farm factory in Bahrain which was the first the Arabian Gulf region.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

June 2022 43

UK in Bahrain

A WORD OF THANKS The British Embassy would like to thank all those companies sponsoring our special Platinum Jubilee event, to be held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Wednesday, June 8.

They represent the wide range of commercial interests between the UK and Bahrain and the best of British from education, engineering, technology, design, security, finance, legal, consultancy and professional services.

LOGO 2020

Bahrain Artistic Frames Centre- English only

In appreciation of the professional support provided in scanning and reframing historical images for this special project.

44 June 2022

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Strathclyde Alumni Dinner

Under the patronage of British Ambassador, HE Roderick Drummond, the Strathclyde Business School held an Alumni Dinner at Florence Restaurant, Adliya.

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

June 2022 45

advertisers index Educational Institutions Ahlia University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nadeen School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

St.Christopher’s School . . . . . . . . . . .

Strathclyde Business School . . . . . .

The British School of Bahrain . . . . . .

Medical & Dental Services

43 49 44 41 47

Royal Hospital For Women And Children 57

Motoring

Al Haddad Motors (Mercedes) . . . . .

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13 M. Fakhroo & Bros (Philips) . . . . . . .

9 The Lost Paradise of Dilmun . . . . . . .

7 UNEECO Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Now you’ve seen your regular issue, which we hope you enjoyed, make sure to check out our websites and social media for daily updates of what’s happening across the Kingdom.

You can find us at:

bahrainthismonth.com bahrainthismonth

womanthismonth.com womanthismonth

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Remember to exhale.

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