Albert Poggio OBE GMH will be retiring as UK Representative for HM Government of Gibraltar and Director of Gibraltar House in London, on 30th June 2016, after 28 years of distinguished service. He is the doyen of the Overseas Territories’ Representatives in the UK.

Mr Poggio will remain in post through the campaign on the EU Referendum, which takes place on 23rd June, in order to continue to liaise with Members of Parliament.

Albert Poggio has for many years been pivotal in liaising with both Houses of Parliament, political parties, local authorities and prominent individuals in the UK and became a well-known figure in his attendance at all the major Political Party Conferences.

Albert Poggio has been HM Government of Gibraltar's Representative in the UK since 1989 and developed Gibraltar House, London, into an impressive window for Gibraltar in the City of London and throughout the UK. 

Importantly, Albert Poggio was crucial in Gibraltar's campaign to derail the joint sovereignty proposals by Tony Blair in 2001, which if successful, would have led to Spain and the UK sharing sovereignty of the Rock without regard to the views of the people of Gibraltar.

In March 2015, Albert Poggio was awarded the Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Honouree Award for strengthening political and business ties for Gibraltarians and British citizens alike over the last 20 years. He was awarded the Gibraltar Medallion of Honour in 2014.

Following his retirement, Albert Poggio will continue to work with MPs in the UK Parliament, and as Director (London) of Inward Investment, in a consultancy capacity which means that in retirement he will no longer be based at Gibraltar House. He will also continue to oversee the completion of the new Calpe House on behalf of the Calpe House Trust.

On announcing his retirement, Albert Poggio commented “It has been a great privilege to serve the people of Gibraltar, formally, for the past 28 years. My passion for Gibraltar and its people will never diminish.”

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo QC, said “It has been a pleasure to work with Albert Poggio since I became Chief Minister in 2011. I was delighted to move the Motion which bestowed the Gibraltar Medallion of Honour upon him and the fact that it was unanimous speaks for itself in terms of the regard in which he is held by all sides of the Gibraltar Parliament. Albert has put across the Gibraltar point of view in London with great skill and ability over many years. This continuous hard work is something that takes its toll and it is understandable that after so many years he should now want to retire. On behalf of the Government and the people of Gibraltar, I thank him for his important contribution and wish him a happy retirement.”