Former charity chief Gordon Johnson has been appointed as executive officer of the United Bermuda Party.

Mr. Johnson will be responsible for the administration of the UBP's central office and for developing the party's branches.

UBP Leader Grant Gibbons said: "Gordon brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

"His work with a number of community-based initiatives and his understanding of some of the challenges impacting Bermuda's social fabric will be invaluable to the party."

Mr. Johnson, a Canadian married to Bermudian Wendy Davis Johnson, was executive director of The Council Partners Charitable Trust (CPCT) where he ran fundraising for programmes that addressed substance abuse in Bermuda.

Party chairman Gwyneth Rawlins said Mr. Johnson would help the UBP to achieve some of its critical goals.

Ms Rawlins said: "He will be able to apply his strong organisational skills in establishing the solid foundation necessary to support the continued development of our party."

Mr. Johnson came to Bermuda from Canada in 1992. He has a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto and a Certificate in Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management from Harvard University.

He is also a graduate of both the Diversity Skills Development and the Experienced-Based Learning and Training Certificate Programmes.