The Premier will today host the official opening of the Bermuda London Office.

UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office representatives, MPs and former Governors are among those attending the reception at 6 Arlington Street.

Government's London Office covers 2,600 sq ft and is situated in the same building as the office for the Cayman Islands, in the City of Westminster.

A Government spokesman said: "The primary focus of the Office will be Bermuda Government relations with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and British Members of Parliament.

"The space and staff are also available to Bermuda Government Ministries as the need arises."

Bermudian Kimberley Durrant will lead a staff of between three and five people, as office manager.

Ms Durrant, who will act as the Island's lead representative in London, has previously worked for the Supreme Court of Bermuda and Oxford City Council. She holds a postgraduate law degree from the University of Buckingham and a postgraduate degree from the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice.

Plans for a Bermuda London Office were outlined in the Finance Minister's Budget Statement last year. Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Paula Cox announced the Cabinet Office had been allotted more than $800,000 to establish a "representative office" in the UK.

At a press conference, Premier Ewart Brown then said: "If we are to continue our relationship with the UK in the way we would like to, we would need to have an office out of which to operate and influence the UK legislators."

Dr. Brown said $822,000 had been allocated in the Budget for the rental accommodation for a London office.

The London Office was first mentioned in the 2006 Budget. Then Premier Alex Scott said Bermuda was one of the few remaining British Overseas Territories without permanent representation in London.

The office became operational in the fourth quarter of last year.

Former Governors Lord Waddington, Thorold Masefield and Sir John Vereker will join representatives from international companies and other British Overseas Territories at today's official opening. About 40 guests are expected.