As the Director of the United Kingdom Office, I am delighted to introduce to you “Gibraltar House”, our prestigious and versatile new premises on The Strand. “Gibraltar House” houses the Gibraltar Government representation in the United Kingdom and is responsible for all matters pertaining to Gibraltar in the United Kingdom, reporting directly to the Chief Minister. In its consular capacity, the building also acts as point of welcome for Sponsored Patient’s, referred by the Gibraltar Health Authority to the United Kingdom for specialist medical care. The Director is also responsible for overseeing the interests of the Calpe House Trust and its facilities “Calpe House”, a building jointly owned by the Trust and the Government, in Bayswater, London, which offers home from home accommodation for patients and families while in the United Kingdom for treatment.

The Office works closely with both Houses of Parliament and is responsible for the implementation of the Ministry for Tourism’s policy for the growth of visitor arrivals from the United Kingdom.

The Director, in association with the Captain of the Port, is also responsible for the promotion of Gibraltar Port and all its activities, particularly relating to cruise tourism.

Activities in London relating to the Finance Centre under the direction of the Finance Centre Director are also coordinated through this office.

The London Office coordinates Gibraltar’s participation in a number of leading industry associations such as MedCruise, the Association of Mediterranean Ports, AITO, the Association of British Travel Agents and ANTOR, the Association of National Tourist Office Representatives, which it currently Chairs.

The Office also coordinates, on behalf of the Government, a number of prestigious events, including “Gibraltar Day” in the City of London, which is held annually at the Guildhall in the City of London.

The Offices have been refurbished to an exceptionally high standard of décor and technology, and “Gibraltar House” offers excellent meeting and conference facilities in the centre of London. With a selection of suites available for rental on a day to day basis, this unique venue provides the perfect backdrop for businesses with a Gibraltar connection.

Disabled facilities are located on the lower ground floor and the lift ensures wheelchair access to all levels.

The Showroom, which is open to the general public, offers information on all the pillars of the Gibraltar Economy. It also has an array of Gibraltar related books and an interesting display of Gibraltar stamps, which are all available to purchase.

The purchase of this superb, six-storey building is not only a sound investment on behalf of the people of Gibraltar, but also a testament to the close and long-standing ties economic, cultural and social, between Gibraltar and the United Kingdom.

We hope that “Gibraltar House” will be a venue in which these links are strengthened even further with our support of the Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society and its newly expanded calendar of events which will see “Gibraltar House” as a focal point for a series of specialist lectures and talks.

Together with my dedicated staff, I look forward to welcoming you.

Albert Poggio OBE
Director