Ascension : Press Release - Customer Adviser Appointed
Submitted by The Islander (Public Relations Information Office) 12.02.2009 (Article Archived on 26.02.2009)

The St Helena Government has appointed Peter Henderson as Customs Adviser in the Finance Department.

Press Release

Customs Adviser Appointed

The St Helena Government has appointed Peter Henderson as Customs Adviser in the Finance Department.

Peter arrived on 14 January 2009 and will be on-island for 12 months. He will work closely with staff in the Customs Sections as well as with the Chief Finance Officer, Desmond Wade, and the Financial Secretary, Virginia Grace.

As Customs Adviser, he will manage the Customs Section which will require him to oversee the collection of revenues and the detection of any illegal imports. During his time on the Island, Peter will also assess the management structure of the Customs Section and its suitability for meeting the demands of the future. He will make recommendations on how systems and procedures can be improved and provide staff with training in customs practices and procedures.

The St Helena Government plans to appoint a permanent manger for the Customs Section, to take over from Peter at the end of his term, and Peter will be closely involved in the recruitment process.

Peter is on secondment to the St Helena Government from the Isle of Mann Government, where he is Surveyor of Protection and Excise, responsible for all customs regimes, duties, VAT and investigations. He has dedicated his career to working in customs and excise in the UK and latterly in the Isle of Mann and has held a variety of posts, which have involved him in drug prevention, law enforcement and anti-money laundering operations, as well as revenue collection. As a qualified maritime engineer, he also worked for a number of years on Customs cutters (or Patrol crafts) in the UK.

He said that he is looking forward to passing his knowledge on to staff in the Customs Section during his year on the Island, helping them in their day to day work and putting the Customs Section on a more up to date footing. He added “I am looking forward to the experience of living and working in St Helena. Coming from an island myself will certainly help me in my work here.”

Public Relations/Information Office

Office of the Chief Secretary

28 January 2009