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Former Tory MP's posting as UK ambassador to Cuba raises fresh cronyism claims

Man in Havana’ role usually taken by experienced diplomats goes to ex-trade minister George Hollingbery
Boris Johnson’s government has been accused of fostering a culture of cronyism after the appointment of a former Conservative MP as ambassador to Cuba.
George Hollingbery, the former minister and MP until 2019, was announced on Tuesday as the UK’s new “man in Havana”, a post usually taken by experienced diplomats.
Dave Penman, the head of the FDA union, which represents Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) staff, said the appointment was evidence that the government is sacrificing the art of diplomacy to hand jobs to political friends.
“Sir George Hollingbery’s appointment, with little obvious relevant expertise and no competition, once again suggests that to this government, who you know is more important than what you know.
“Ambassadorial posts are key to securing the UK’s interests abroad. Political appointments undermine the country’s longer-term interests, as they will almost inevitably change with a change in government,” he said.
Penman said the UK should not follow the US practice of encouraging political appointments, which damage diplomatic relations.
“As we’re witnessing in the United States at this moment, more than 200 key ambassadorial roles need to be filled as part of around 4,000 civil service posts that have to be appointed by the new administration,” he said.
Hollingbery, a former close ally of Theresa May, was a minister in the department of trade when he stood down from parliament in 2019.
After entering parliament, he was a parliamentary private secretary to May in the home office and No 10, and a lord commissioner to the Treasury.
Before entering parliament, he was the deputy leader of Winchester council and developed a veterinary chain which he sold to the firm Pets at Home.
Welcoming the new ambassador, the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said: “Sir George Hollingbery brings a wealth of experience to the role, including from his time as a trade minister.”
Jolyon Maugham, the director of the Good Law Project, which has launched legal action against the government over the handing of Covid contracts to “VIPs”, said: “Perhaps he is a good chap but he doesn’t have any obvious qualifications for the role. Treating these posts as political gifts can’t serve the national interest – and it must be pretty dispiriting for talented and hard-working Foreign Office staff.”
The government has faced criticism for making major Coronavirus-related appointments without proper process. Dido Harding, whose husband is the Conservative MP John Penrose, who is close to Johnson, is now the head of test and trace. Kate Bingham, whose husband is the minister Jesse Norman, who was at Eton with Johnson, was appointed in May as the chair of the UK vaccine taskforce. She stood down from the role at the end of 2020.
Retired Labour MPs were also given plum diplomatic roles under Tony Blair. Paul Boateng, the former Labour minister, was the UK’s ambassador to South Africa from 2005. Helen Liddell became the high commissioner to Australia in the same year, and was followed in the role by Valerie Amos.
Under the Conservatives, Ed Llewellyn, David Cameron’s former chief of staff, was given the role of ambassador to France.
A government source said: “The FDA’s criticism is nothing but pointless political posturing.”
An FCDO spokesperson said: “Sir George has a wealth of international and government experience that he will bring to this role, including from his time as trade minister. It is not unusual to make political appointments in the diplomatic service.”
source: Rajeev Syal
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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