Party executive officer on Saturday.

Mr. Bain's appointment must still go to the UBP caucus, but that is expected to be a formality.

Mr. Bain, who has just retired from the Bermuda Police Special Branch, where he held the rank of Inspector, is off the Island until February 27.

UBP chairman Sen. Gary Pitman said yesterday his party's central committee has made a choice which must be taken to Cabinet and caucus. Sources told The Royal Gazette as early as December that the choice was Mr. Bain, but Sen.

Pitman would not confirm that yesterday.

Mr. Bain, who has spent 25 years with Bermuda Police -- 20 of them in Special Branch -- is a leading Bermuda tennis player.

Since arriving in Bermuda from his native Grenada, he has also captained the Police cricket team and bowled for Nationals and Southampton Rangers. He now umpires. In his Police job, he has played a key security role for the Royal Visit last March and numerous other visits by VIPs.

Insp. Bain's wife, Mrs. Sandra Bain, is vice-chairman of the National Drug Commission.

Mrs. Kathryn Gibbons recently stepped down after serving as UBP executive officer for less than one year.