The Commission for Unity and Racial Equality has appointed Dr. Sydney Gibbons as its new executive officer.

Dr. Gibbons has been in the role since January 2, though the announcement was not made until last week.

In his new role with CURE, he is responsible for race relations and anti-racism programme development. He will also spearhead initiatives to promote equal opportunity for all races on the Island and compile reports on race relations in Bermuda.

CURE was revived in 2006, its mission is to improve race relations and equality.

Dr. Gibbons attended Heron Bay School and the Bermuda Technical Institute before continuing his education in Jamaica and the US where he earned a Bachelor's degree, Masters and a Doctorate.

For six-and-a-half years, Dr. Gibbons lived in Cameroon, in central Africa. He also spent a number of years as an Associate Professor at the Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Jamaica.

He returned to Bermuda five years ago and served in various positions at the Bermuda Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, including as executive secretary and superintendent of education.

He has also been a consultant to the Government's National Training Board for the last two years, assisting the NTB in writing its social police statement and in making recommendations about training and public education.

He said his personal mission is to "promote harmony in human relationships and to improve the quality of life for all people".