John James Rankin, CMG (born 12 March 1957) is a British diplomat and a former ambassador to Nepal. He served as the Governor of the British Virgin Islands from January 2021 to January 2024.[1] He was the Governor of Bermuda from December 2016 to December 2020.[2]
John Rankin | |
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| Governor of the British Virgin Islands | |
| In office 29 January 2021 – 18 January 2024 | |
| Monarchs | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Premier | Andrew Fahie Natalio Wheatley |
| Preceded by | Augustus Jaspert |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Pruce |
| Governor of Bermuda | |
| In office 5 December 2016 – 12 December 2020 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Premier | Michael Dunkley Edward David Burt |
| Preceded by | Ginny Ferson (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Rena Lalgie |
| United Kingdom High Commissioner to Sri Lanka | |
| In office 2011–2015 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Peter Hayes |
| Succeeded by | James Dauris |
| United Kingdom Consul-General in Boston | |
| In office 2003–2007 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | George Fergusson |
| Succeeded by | Phil Budden |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John James Rankin 12 March 1957 United Kingdom |
| Alma mater | University of Glasgow McGill University |
Early life and education edit
Rankin was born on 12 March 1957. He was educated at Hutchesons' Boys' Grammar School, a private school in Glasgow, Scotland. He studied Scots law at the University of Glasgow, graduating with a first class honours Bachelor of Laws degree. He later studied international law at McGill University, graduating with a Master of Laws degree.[3][4]
Career edit
Legal career edit
Rankin qualified and practised as a solicitor in Scotland; he was a member of the Law Society of Scotland. He was additionally a lecturer in public law at the University of Aberdeen from 1984 to 1988.[3]
Diplomatic career edit
Rankin joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1988. Between posts at the FCO, he served at the embassy in Dublin and was the consul-general at Boston. He took up his appointment as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and non-resident High Commissioner to the Maldives in February 2011.[5] In 2015, he was appointed Ambassador to Nepal.[6]
He was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2016 New Year Honours.[7]
Governor edit
Rankin was sworn in as Governor of Bermuda on 5 December 2016.[8] In February 2018, signed into law the Domestic Partnership Act 2018, which effectively reversed the right of gay couples to marry. This made Bermuda the first jurisdiction to legalise and then repeal same-sex marriage rights.[9] The law relating to same-sex marriage in Bermuda could change again, as the Supreme Court stated in June 2018 that repealing same-sex marriage rights was discriminatory and thus contrary to section 12 of the Bermudian Constitution.
In September 2020, it was announced that Rankin would be replacing Gus Jaspert as Governor of the British Virgin Islands in 2021.[10] As such, he was replaced in December 2020 by Rena Lalgie as Governor of Bermuda.
Rankin was sworn in as Governor of the British Virgin Islands on 29 January 2021, after arriving in the territory and observing the mandatory 14-day quarantine due to COVID-19.[citation needed]
Personal life edit
Rankin was married to Lesley Marshall from 1987 until they divorced in 2019. They have a son and two daughters.[3]
Publications edit
- The Right of Self-determination: Its Nature, Content and Beneficiaries in International Law, McGill University, 1984
References edit
- John Rankin, gov.uk
- RANKIN, John James, Who's Who 2013, A & C Black, 2013; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2012
- ^ "Rankin bids farewell to BVI: Reflects on challenges & hope for reforms". Loop News. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ Johnston-Barnes, Owain (19 September 2016). "Rankin named new Governor". The Royal Gazette. Bermuda. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
- ^ a b c "Rankin, John James, (born 12 March 1957), HM Diplomatic Service; Governor, British Virgin Islands, since 2021". Who's Who 2022. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- ^ "Governor to the British Virgin Islands: John Rankin". GOV.UK. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- ^ Change of British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, 1 September 2010
- ^ John Rankin, gov.uk
- ^ "No. 61450". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 2015. p. N4.
- ^ "Bermuda welcomes new Governor". The Royal Gazette. Bermuda. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ Guardian Staff; agencies (8 February 2018). "Bermuda becomes first jurisdiction in the world to repeal same-sex marriage". the Guardian. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
- ^ "Governor Jaspert Announces BVI's Next Governor". bvi.gov.vg. Government of the Virgin Islands. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
External links edit
Media related to John Rankin (diplomat) at Wikimedia Commons
