Our British Ties

FROM THE GOVERNOR Our strong ties with Britain

Britain and Bermuda have extremely close ties – politically and economically. We asked The Governor John Rankin if there are any mustneed knows when doing business on the Island.

Question: Is there anything a firsttime British business visitor will find surprising about Bermuda? Answer: Some visitors may expect Bermuda to be very British in culture or else to find a predominantly North American or Caribbean influence. In fact, they will find an island that reflects influences from each of these areas and indeed from farther afield. Each component is familiar in some ways, but the end result is uniquely Bermudian.

Q: Is there anything a business person should know in order to make that important “first impression” when meeting Bermudians? Is there a different “dress code” here compared with working in, for example, London? A: The most important thing is always to say, “Good Morning!” Otherwise, the dress code is perhaps slightly more formal in Bermuda than in London. In quite a number of businesses in the UK, for example, men no longer wear ties. Here, together with jackets, they are seen more regularly. Everyone knows about Bermuda shorts, and visitors will see for themselves that they are a very smart form of dress.

Q: Is there any advice you would share with a business visitor who is experienced in doing business in big cities and now finds him or herself in this small community? A: Bermuda’s small size gives it a business advantage. Here you can meet key people quickly without the need for lengthy travel between appointments.

Q: Can you talk a little bit about the relationship between Bermuda and the United Kingdom from a cultural point of view as well as trade and politics? A: The UK and Bermuda are linked not only by history and by the constitutional relationship but also by close people to people links. So many Bermudians have family living in the UK, and UK universities remain the destination of choice for young Bermudians seeking a first-class education at “home student” rates. The Premier League football is followed throughout Bermuda, and Bermudian footballers who have excelled in the UK – Clyde Best, Shaun Goater, and currently Nahki Wells – are rightly celebrated figures. Members of the Royal Family continue to visit Bermuda on a regular basis, including, in 2017, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, and His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex.

Each year Her Majesty The Queen is delighted to receive Easter Lilies from the people of Bermuda. The links between the UK and Bermuda therefore remain strong across a wide variety of areas. We are sure that British business visitors, like any other visitor, will always be made to feel welcome in Bermuda.

Mr. Rankin adds that Government House was not an embassy or consulate, and its functions are different than those carried out by US and Canadian colleagues; however, he said he was always happy to meet business people from the UK or elsewhere who may be interested in setting up in Bermuda and to encourage them to come to the island.

“Key things that businesses are looking for include clear regulation, certainty, and security of contract and a reputable legal system in which to operate. They will find that Bermuda meets the highest regulatory standards through the work of the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) and that Bermuda’s courts and its legal profession are widely respected internationally. They will also find a wealth of business expertise, including in the banking, financial, and insurance sectors,” says Mr. Rankin.

Q: Outside of business hours, what would you recommend a business visitor does to get to know and enjoy Bermuda, especially if they only have very limited time? A: In good weather a walk on the railway trail, a trip on the water, or an exploration of historic St. George’s or Dockyard. In bad weather, a visit to the National Gallery or Masterworks or the Bermuda Triangle exhibition at BUEI. But, most of all, take the opportunity to meet and talk with the always welcoming local people.