Fifteeen years after he first became involved with the Bermuda Housing Corporation and 12 years after he became its general manager, Barrett Dill is turning over the reins.

Major Dill will be succeeded by businessman Paul Martin on August 11 after his plans to retire a year ago were delayed by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Martin, the former general manager at Island Glass, is currently BHC’s general manager designate.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, announced the appointment at a press conference yesterday afternoon at the General Post Office in Pembroke.

He said Major Dill began his employment with BHC in May of 2006 as a consultant and in November, 2009 he was appointed general manager.

Lieutenant Colonel Burch added: “This occasion is coming a year after originally planned as Major Dill gave us plenty of notice that he would retire in July, 2020.

“In light of Covid-19 and our request that he stay for another year, he agreed with the understanding that there would be no further delay.”

Major Dill said: “Time waits for no man and it has certainly not waited for me. It is an honour and privilege to successfully to have achieved ribbon-cutting ceremonies from some of the significant properties in Bermuda such as Loughlands, Harbour View, Perimeter Lane and the Bermudiana Beach Resort.

“In addition to that, the BHC has responsibility for over 680 government and private units and we manage those units quite successfully.”

The BHC board began seeking a replacement for Major Dill in early 2021 and hired business management consultancy firm Performance Solutions to assist with the recruitment.

The Minister said: “Mr Martin comes to the job with a solid business experience with eight years in a general manager role with experience in managing, budgeting and strategic business planning.

“Paul is Bermudian and throughout the interviews he demonstrated a keen understanding of the BHC mandate, the key properties, challenges and opportunities.”

Mr Martin said: “I am excited to accept the appointment. I have been warmly welcomed by staff at BHC who have shown me around some premises and I feel part of the family already. I look forward to many years with BHC and the team that we have.”