Career diplomat and former ambassador to the Republic of Cuba, Elinor Sherlock, has been appointed chief of state protocol in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Ambassador Sherlock has been mandated to coordinate all areas of protocol in the government service for state, ceremonial and official visits.

She will also advise on matters of state protocol to the governor general, prime minister, the Cabinet, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies.

Ambassador Sherlock's role will involve advising on the application of conventions, formalities, courtesies and roles of official protocol and etiquette in respect of occasions that involve the prime minister.

Chancery to benefit

The Office of the Chancery will also benefit from her oversight. The Chancery is the office for the endowment of national honours and awards.

Ambassador Sherlock is an educator and an experienced translator of French and Spanish and once served as the conference services manager at the Jamaica Conference Centre.

The ambassador also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Spanish from the University of Toronto, a Master of Science in international relations and public administration, as well as a Masters in Business Administration in tourism and hospitality management, from the University of the West Indies.

She replaces Colin Robb who held the position of secretary general of the Chancery of the Societies of Honours.

Robb served in the Chancery for 19 years and left office at the end of May.