Outgoing Chief Executive Barry Rowland reflects on 4 years

Written for the May 14, 2021, issue of Penguin News by Nicholas Roberts - published under the headline “Chief Executive Barry Rowland reflects on 4 years.”

Following four years and eight months in post Barry Rowland, Chief Executive of the Falklands, is leaving the islands to retire - but says to expect to see him on holiday here before too long.

Reflecting on his impression of the Islands when he first heard about the job, and as he leaves the Islands now, Barry said: “I remember when approached and discussing with recruitment consultants that I was interested in coming down and, of course, I had lived and worked in the northeast of England all of my career, and the idea of travelling away almost 8,000 miles to the South Atlantic was a not daunting, but challenging, prospect.”

“I thought it was a great opportunity for Lynne and I to try something new for what was always going to be my last job, at the end of my career as a public servant.”

Barry said that on his arrival he was, “struck by how enterprising the Falkland Islands was, how much economic development had happened in the last 20 years, in particular the last 10, and what a successful economy,” the Islands had.

Outgoing Chief Executive Barry Rowland

Speaking about how his time as Chief Executive has varied from previous roles Barry said it was “different.”

“Different because it’s in a different part of the world, different because it was a different job. It’s a small place with a small population, but you’re running a country, or leading a public service.” Barry continued, “It wasn’t just the range of things you would do in a local government.”

“I would say that this job has been the most challenging job I’ve ever had, because of the breadth of responsibility, but then again so much more rewarding because of the different things that we’ve been challenged to do.”

“Who would have ever thought when I was sitting in Newcastle or sitting in my home at Shotley Bridge, that I’d be negotiating international flights to Brazil. Who would have thought I would be involved in the development of what we imagine will be a major oil development in the Falkland Islands. I wouldn’t have thought I’d ever be in that situation and I’ve thoroughly, thoroughly, enjoyed it.”

Looking to the future, the exiting Chief Executive spoke about the development of hydrocarbons in the Falklands. “I still think there’s a real opportunity for that to happen here, and we’re in a reasonably strong position now with the new set of partners in Chrysaor, Harbour, who have taken over the merger with Premier Oil. I wouldn’t give up on that.”

On other major projects ahead Barry spoke about the National Infrastructure plan. “Over the next 20 or 30 years we’ve got a significant amount of investment defined. The National Infrastructure Plan added up the price over the next 20 years, the need to invest almost a billion pounds into the island, renewing all the investment that was made in the late 80s and early 90s.”

Despite this Barry said the plans have been laid out in the last three to four island plans. “The reason that there’s not a great deal of difference is because there are certain attributes and certain strengths, and that’s what we’re working on. I think we’ve continued to exploit those and build on them, and in many ways it’s more of the same.”

Asked what memories he’d take with him from the Falklands he said, “I think the thing that I’ll remember about the Falkland Islands is the beauty of the place.”

“I think the main thing is the people, we’ve spent time – I’ve certainly spent a lot of time – in social engagement with the folks of the Falklands, whether it’s in camp or here. Barbecues on various farms; on the west or east yarning with people; in the pubs and other hostelries in Stanley. I’ve really enjoyed that and my wife and I have made some good friends and really enjoyed our social life here… `

“While I’m not coming back to do anything here professionally,” Barry concluded, “I’d love to come back. I’m sure I’ll come back on holiday, and we’re already planning about how we’ll get back during the period of the 40th Anniversary and spend time with friends.