Robert Ready, known to his friends and some in the diplomatic circle as 'Randy', has been named Canada's new high commissioner to Jamaica, effective September 13.

A graduate of Queen's University with a Bachelor of Arts in history and a master's in public administration, Ready joined the Canadian Public Service in 1979. He has worked with the House of Commons, the Government of Saskatchewan, the Department of Western Economic Diversification and Investment Canada.

From 1996 to 2003, he was director of international investment and services policy at Industry Canada.

He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2004 as director of the Services Trade Policy Division and, from 2007 to 2008, was director of the Investment Trade Policy Division. Most recently, since 2009, Ready served as chief air negotiator and director general, intellectual property and trade services. He is married to Joanne, and they have three children. Ready succeeds Stephen Hallihan, who departed Kingston recently.