It was ’worthwhile and enjoyable’ travelling more than 9,800 miles to take part in a business programme.

That was the verdict of Tim Cullen, a pioneer of the Small Countries Financial Management Centre (SMFC), after a special mission to the Cook Islands.

The SMFC, in partnership with the government of the self-governing island country in the South Pacific Ocean, held a ’very successful’ one week executive education programme on negotiation in Rarotonga.

The programme, the costs of which were fully met by the Cook Islands Government, was attended by 30 participants, drawn from across both the public and private sectors within the Cook Islands.

The faculty undertaking was led by Mr Cullen, who is a director of the SCFMC, which is based in the Isle of Man.

Tim was joined by colleagues with whom he works on the highly successful and well regarded Oxford Programme on Negotiation, which he initiated.

After returning to the island he told Business News: ’I can honestly say that in all my 12 or more years of teaching negotiation, this group of Cook Islanders has been among the most impressive and enjoyable people I have ever taught.

’Their enthusiasm, commitment and kindness was wonderful.

’It made travelling halfway around the world both worthwhile and enjoyable.’

In addition to managing all the administration and logistical arrangements in the Cook Islands, Mark Shimmin, executive director of the SCFMC, also ran a session on managing relationships in a business and political environment.

He and Tim Cullen also appeared on a panel and question and answer session with four experienced Cook Island former officials and advisors.

Mark said: We were very

pleased to be asked by the Cook Islands Government, in partnership with them, to present this one week negotiation programme.

’We have been very gratified by its success and the positive reception it received, both from participants and from the Cook Islands Government.’

He added it had also been a ’real bonus’ to to meet and spend time with Sir Lockwood Smith, former speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives and High Commissioner to the UK from 2013 to 2017.

Sir Lockwood was also guest speaker at a reception hosted by Mark Brown, minister for Finance and Economic Management at the office of the Cook Islands prime minister, where ’he gave an entertaining and inspiring speech, based on his extensive experience in trade negotiations.’

Mark went on to pay tribute to Elaine Moretta, the SCFMC’s programme manager for all her hard work in organising the programme, which given the distance and time difference between the Island and the Cook Islands, was particularly challenging.

The Isle of Man is 10 hours ahead of the Cook Islands.

One Cook Islander who attended the week-long scheme between January 14 and 19, found an unexpected link to the Isle of Man.

Fletcher Melvin, the only islander with that Christian name, knew he had been named after Fletcher Christian of the Bounty, but only in conversation with Tim Cullen did he become aware of Fletcher Christian’s strong Isle of Man connections.

Fletcher Christian, was master’s mate on board HMS Bounty during Lieutenant William Bligh’s voyage to Tahiti during 1787-1789 for breadfruit plants.

In the mutiny on the Bounty, Christian seized command of the ship from Bligh on April 28, 1789.

Fletcher’s father’s side had originated from the Isle of Man and most of his paternal great-grandfathers were historic Deemsters, their original family surname McCrystyn.

Mark Shimmin said the Cook Islands trip was a new development for the SCFMC.

The SCFMC organises an annual gathering in the Isle of Man and Oxford attended by finance officials from around small countries.

They include government officials, representing central banks, regulatory bodies and ministries of finance.

This year’s programme, in June, will be the 10th of its kind.

Mark Shimmin said the Cook Islands trip ’has proved that, in addition to our annual programme in the Isle of Man and Oxford, we can provide successful and highly regarded programmes, tailored for the requirements of a specific Government, organisation or region.

’We are already in discussions to see whether further programmes might be developed for future presentation in the Cook Islands or the wider Pacific Region.’

Mr Shimmin told Business News that the programme in the island aims to ’improve the management of the financial sector and financial management in small developing countries, to positively impact growth and poverty reduction, to improve their capacity to respond to ever increasing international standards and regulation and to enhance the leadership, strategic management and negotiation skills of the participants, so that they can both apply these effectively and engage and inspire others to follow their lead.’

Dozens of visitors from the world’s small nations have descended on the island over the last decade for intensive studying.

They travel thousands of miles from areas such as Caribbean, East Asia and the Pacific and Africa and the Indian Ocean. And one of the social highlights has always been a reception at Government House with the island’s Lieutenant Governor.

Some delegates wear their national dress for the gatherings.

Group picture in the Cook Islands. Mark Shimmin, executive director of the SMFC is on the front with Tim Cullen, a director of the SCFMC and associate fellow of the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford