THE Delegation of the European Union to TT has a new ambassador.

Peter Cavendish presented his credentials on Thursday at President’s House in St Ann’s, Port of Spain and will serve for four years after Aad Biesebroek’s term as EU ambassador to TT ended on August 31, last year. His office is located in Queen’s Park West, Port of Spain.

Cavendish, 60, from Dublin, Ireland, is married to a journalist and has two children who have pursued careers in law and business studies and computer coding. His line of work before joining the EU was in the finance and petrochemicals sectors.

He holds a bachelor's degree of economics from the University College Dublin with specialities in political economy, national economics and economic statistics, and a master of business studies (MBS) degree also from the same institution with specialities in banking, insurance and finance.

Over time Cavendish served as head of division at the Security of EU delegations, head of division at the inspection of EU delegations, head of division at the ex-post financial control of EU delegations and head of sector roles at the Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).

[caption id="attachment_903111" align="alignnone" width="683"] USE PHOTO ON PAGE 10European Union ambassador Peter Cavendish says doubles can put TT on the culinary map. - Photo by Marvin Hamilton[/caption]

He said, as time passed, he realised that he wanted to do more with his life besides making money and found his vocation in humanitarian aid with the EU.

In an interview with Sunday Newsday last week, Cavendish said there was always a great appreciation for TT, having heard about the country from teachers/priests at one of the schools he attended, St Michael’s College, which has a sister school in TT, St Mary’s College.

The priests, he said, had great influence on him to find his life’s vocation which allowed him to pursue jobs in humanitarian aid.

'I was taught by priests from TT'

“The priests who were actually missionary fathers always encouraged people to find their vocation. They had an influence on me which led me to work in the areas of humanitarian aid for almost 15 years.

“I was actually educated by priests from TT, and they were always telling us how nice TT is and now I’m here in a beautiful and rich country, which I have been hearing about since the 1960s. My initial expressions have been very strong and positive.

Cavendish wasted no time in getting the well-known local delicacy – doubles – which he said was excellent and had potential to become an outstanding vegan delight worldwide.

“I think doubles is something that Trinidadians could make something more of because it's vegan. The sauces make a big difference, I had one with cashews and I had a very hot one. I think you need to start young in life to be able to master the hot ones. I’m looking to forward to the roadside experience.

“TT is a bit like Ireland. The people are very creative, there are a lot of writers, musicians, cultures, and artists.