A new minister has been appointed with the brief of handling the overseas territories, including Bermuda.

Baroness Amos, who took over from Baroness Scotland on Monday, has had numerous roles in Government after being created a life peer in 1997.

Born in Guyana, she was appointed Government Whip in the House of Lords in July 1998. She was a spokesperson on International Development, Social Security and Women's Issues and was awarded an Honorary Professorship in 1995 in recognition of her work on equality and social justice.

After working in Equal Opportunities, Training and Management Services in local government she became Chief Executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission 1989-94. She was also an adviser to the South African Government on public service reform, human rights and employment equity. Valerie Amos has also been a non-executive Director of the University College London Hospitals Trust, a Trustee of Voluntary Services Overseas and a Chair of the Board of Governors of the Royal College of Nursing Institute.