BILL HENDERSON, recently appointed to the post of British Consul for the Algarve, received a warm welcome at a cocktail reception held in the Sheraton Algarve last month. The event was organised by the British-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce (BPCC) and generously sponsored by Barclays.
An enthusiastic group of members and guests from all areas of the Algarve, and also from outside the region, attended the event. Following an informal mingling with guests, Bill Henderson was formally introduced by Mark Stilwell, chairman of the Chamber’s Algarve sub-committee and main organiser of the event.
A softly spoken Scot, the Consul thanked everyone for their attendance, the sponsors for their generosity and the Sheraton staff for their hospitality. He went on to describe how he had been appointed to the position, and outlined his hopes and ambitions for his term as British Consul in the Algarve. Bill has the advantage of speaking Portuguese, which he hopes will help him to fulfil his duties in the region. His role as Consul is pre-defined by higher authorities, but he explained that there is no real job description for much of what he does. His assistance can often extend beyond the call of official duties, ranging from locating people, to personally directing visitors to the Consulate in Portimão.
As a welcome gift, Bill was presented with an original cartoon portrait by Chris Malling of Portoonz, based in Carvoeiro.
The BPCC has enjoyed a spectacular boom in the rise in numbers of its Algarve members and this popular networking format follows hot-on-the-heels of similar gatherings hosted by the Chamber, such as the ones sponsored by IberElite in November 2005 and Vale do Milho in February of this year.
• For more information about the BPCC, contact Chris Barton on 213 942 020 or visit www.bpcc.pt
