What do you want to be when you grow up little girl? Air hostess, singer or vet would be high on most wish lists but the Canary Islands’ new British Consul Maria Leng always knew she wanted to work for the Foreign Office. Maybe a slightly nomadic existence was in the family blood, her mother is from Galicia on the Spanish mainland and her father was from Sunderland but moved to work for the oil industry in Aberdeen.Maria’s early years in Fife have also helped to make her Scottish accent loud and proud, apart from when she uses her fluent Spanish, French or German.

Island life is nothing new to Maria after just over 2 years as Vice Consul to Ibiza but this time she has 7 islands to cover. “The Canaries has 2 consul offices, one in Santa Cruz and the other in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria but my job involves all the islands and in the 2 months since arriving I have spent a lot of time flying on the little Binter planes.”

Maria’s passion for exploring has been limited so far in Tenerife and the lack of a car at the moment has meant learning to appreciate the Titsa bus service. “I’m living in Santa Cruz but I’ve managed to see a bit of Puerto de la Cruz, Candelaria, Guimar and the south” she said gesturing to CC Fañabe Plaza as we sipped tea. “The safe, relaxed feel of Tenerife has impressed me and everyone has been very friendly and welcoming. At this time of year it’s very different from Ibiza as that’s very seasonal, after the end of September it cools down pretty quickly.”

A year in Toulouse helped Maria’s studies in European Business Administration and a series of good steady jobs, particularly in the oil industry, meant there was no pressing need to move on which was just as well. “The entry exams for the Foreign Office were yearly and the first time I was going to sit them I got stuck in a jam behind a traffic accident on the Forth Bridge and missed them.”

Maria certainly wasn’t left twiddling her thumbs. “I love football. I saw my first game as a toddler at Sunderland’s old Roker Park and later became a regular fan at Celtic. I also took my Scottish FA coaching badge and coached 12 to 18 year olds at Cupar.” After admitting she will soon be living within throw-in distance of CD Tenerife’s Heliodoro stadium, I posed Maria with an away blanquiazul shirt at the Soy del Tete fan shop but diplomatically she says she will be taking an interest in all the Canarian teams.

Artistic performance is also important to Maria. “I’m keen on amateur theatre and also sang and choreographed for the Selkirk Amateur Opera. Last night I saw the final of the Santa Cruz Carnaval Queen contest and loved it. I’m looking forward to sampling all the Carnaval events, I can’t really avoid it as the consul office is in Plaza Weyler at the heart of the action.”

So how about some advice from our new consul? ”Insurance is a really important thing, lots of people don’t bother and then regret it – an air ambulance can cost up to 18.000 euros. Another common oversight is filling in next of kin on passports, that causes so many problems if the unthinkable happens. We will try to help with serious problems but can’t interfere in Spanish legal issues. Our website is a great starting point and can answer many basic enquiries.”

With a hunger to explore, and a wealth of practical experience, Maria is ready to embrace the 7 islands and do her bit to make sure the British abroad have plenty of reasons to smile.

FACT FILE
British Consulate Tenerife
Plaza Weyler – Above Barclays Bank
Santa Cruz
Tel (0034) 922286863

Finding a dead body while shelf stacking at Safeways, and learning Spanish in Glasgow would not normally be seen as ideal preparation for service as British Consul to the Canary Islands. Matthew Vickers took them in his stride and has found them both useful in his position as friend, advisor and servant to the British community in the seven islands.

Just nine months into the job, Matthew sits in his Santa Cruz office, he has another, also with 4 support staff, in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, and reflects on the road that brought him to our shores. ” I’m from Liverpool and a staunch Red, but after 8 years in Oxford, including studying history at University, I ended up in Glasgow.”

On the shop floor

Not a noted hotbed of Spanish influence, but Matthew found a thriving community north of the border. “Most of my friends were Spanish, I passed it at A level and at one time had a Spanish girlfriend, so I tended to speak Spanish a lot of the time.” The need to earn money after University put Matthew on the high road. “I joined the management trainee programme for graduates with Safeway and it was a great experience, I had to do a bit of everything from stacking beans to accounts. Finding a body in the Edinburgh store was a bit unusual, but I enjoyed meeting the public, and it was a great way to learn customer relations.”

Moving on from the supermarket chain, Matthew joined McCurrach, a Glasgow firm that handled sales programmes for some big companies such as Scottish and Newcastle breweries, that brought some nice perks. “I dealt with Irn Bru and through their sponsorships, got to see Rangers and Celtic at home.” After rising to boardroom level, the credit crunch saw Matthew made redundant last year and he was back job hunting.

Just the job

“I saw a Consul job advertised on a web site, they were looking for people with experience in business management and customer services, sounded right up my street. There was no destination mentioned at first, but after getting through an interview in Madrid, it became clear that it was for the Canary Islands, even better for me.”

Now settled near Santa Cruz with his wife, Matthew is enjoying the job, time to put him on the spot and see what he makes of his role.

Best thing about the job? “The variety, I just had the sad duty of dealing with the tragic death of a British lady in Los Gigantes, earlier this week we hosted the new British ambassador for Spain, HMS Scott made an official visit today, and next week I have 2 public advice meetings to attend down south.”

Worst thing about the job? “Well the Los Gigantes tragedy was very tough. I just hope we can give the best support possible in such circumstances, it’s a big responsibility.”

Most bizarre request? “I have been lucky so far, but I know colleagues have had people phone to ask for help with their packing, and ask where the best hair dressers are.”

Advice to those looking to move to the Canary Islands? “Do your homework, check things out and think all the possibilities through. People can help themselves when they get here by signing on to the padron (official register of residents) and by learning Spanish.”

Advice to holiday makers? Always take insurance, it covers so many problems that might arise.”

Favourite part of Tenerife? It has to be Mount Teide, a trip up there takes you through so many different layers of landscape and plant life.”

How do you relax? “Well I was in a band in Glasgow, and I am jamming a bit over here with some friends, playing bass and singing. I also love football and watch Liverpool on TV when possible, and have been to see CD Tenerife a few times.”

British Consul here to help in South Tenerife

There are 2 open meetings for advice on pension, benefits and health, being held on Monday 16 November. The first takes place at Casa de la Cultura in Adeje at 2pm, and the second at South Tenerife Christian Fellowship, upstairs at the Apolo centre at 6pm. The Consul and experts in pension, benefits, and health will be there to answer all questions. For more information go to www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk.