Governor Sir John Vereker is stepping down in October to be replaced by another career diplomat — Sir Richard Gozney, who is British High Commissioner in Nigeria.

It is thought Sir John had agreed to stay on to handle the forthcoming election which is expected to be over before he departs.

Sir John, who arrived in Bermuda in 2002, said five years was the longest stint of any Bermuda Governor since Lord Martonmere in the 1960s and now it was time to move on.

He said: “I am delighted at Sir Richard’s appointment. He is a distinguished diplomat.

“I know him and have worked with him and from my discussion with him I also know how keen both he and his wife are to come to Bermuda.”

It’s expected Sir Richard, who is in his mid-50s, will arrive in the beginning of December with Deputy Governor Mark Capes filling in during the interim. At a press conference at Government House Sir John, flanked by his wife Lady Vereker, said he had enjoyed his time in Bermuda and will have plenty to do in his remaining five months in the post.

And he was full of glowing praise for the Island while Lady Vereker said: “I have never been happier in any other place in the world.”

Lady Vereker, who is American, hinted that Washington DC and London might be possibilities for their next port of call but she hopes to carry on work with some Bermuda charities.

“I have had a wonderful five and a half years and could not have asked for better friendships.”

Sir John, 62, who has a background in international development plans to leave the British Government to take on work in the private sector upon his retirement.

Asked what tips he would give his successor, Sir John said: “It would be presumptuous to give him much advice. He is a very experienced diplomat.

“I would probably not need to tell him of the importance of relationship management on a small island and in a constitutional situation where relationships are all important.

“I would probably not need to tell him that Bermudians like their Governor and first lady to be approachable and friendly and not remote and stuffy.”

Sir John has been more hands-on in his approach compared to his predecessor. It led to Premier Ewart Brown publicly saying Sir John should take more of the heat over Policing.

The Premier, in that 2006 statement, had added: “There have been a few instances when we feel he has been a little more hands-on — making direct contact with civil service.

“We take exception to that but I think we can work that out.”

Asked about his approach yesterday, Sir John said: “I am confident I have done the best job I can and I have struck the best balance I can strike between trusting the elected Government of Bermuda to run the country while maintaining my determination to carry out my own responsibilities.”

He said relationships with current Premier Ewart Brown as well as his predecessors had been always “close, workmanlike, fruitful and not always like they had been portrayed in the media.

“The Premier and I BlackBerry each other all the time.”