News

New Governor for Isle of Man

The Isle of Man will have a new governor when Adam Wood’s five-year term ends in April. His successor will be Sir Richard Gozney (seen here), a retired diplomat. 

His distinguished career included being Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Bermuda from 2007 to 2012,  British High Commissioner to Nigeria from 2005 to 2007 and  British Ambassador to Indonesia from 2003 to 2005. He has also worked in Argentina, Spain and Swaziland. Since retiring, he has been non-executive director, a post from which he recently retired.

He says that he and his wife visited the Island a few years ago and, having fallen for it, they are looking forward to moving to Government House and to meeting the Island’s people.

Career summary[edit]

  • 1973–1974: Foreign and Commonwealth Office desk officer for Somalia and Ethiopia
  • 1974–1978: British Embassy Jakarta, Third and later Second Secretary
  • 1978–1981: British Embassy Buenos Aires, Third and later First Secretary
  • 1981–1984: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Head of Section for NATO nuclear arms control
  • 1984–1988: Madrid, Head of Chancery and Political Section
  • 1989–1990: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • 1990–1993: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • 1993–1996: British High Commissioner to Swaziland
  • 1996–1997: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Head of Security Policy Department
  • 1998–2000: Cabinet Office, Chief of the Assessments Staff
  • 2000–2004: British Ambassador to Indonesia
  • 2004–2007: British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Her Majesty’s Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Benin and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea
  • 2007–2012: Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Bermuda

Honour[edit]

  • 1993: Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
  • 2003: Best of Indonesian language speaker (Tokoh Berbahasa Indonesia Lisan Terbaik)
  • 2006: Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
  • 2009: Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
  • 2010: Knight of Justice of the Venerable Order of St. John


  • Publications

    Gibraltar and the EC: Aspects of the Relationship (Royal Institute of International Affairs Discussion Paper, 1993)