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Mark Entwistle

Mark Entwistle draws on a rich and integrated mix of professional experience across disciplines and over twenty five years, in global business and international affairs, government relations and operations, public policy issue management, negotiation and diplomacy, strategic communications, media relations, public affairs and advocacy.

One of the world’s leading specialists on Cuba and Cuban business based on 16 years of hands-on experience, he is at present President of Chibas Consulting Inc., a specialist consultancy in strategic business development in Cuba and global business intelligence more generally. He visits the island frequently, maintains a wide network of contacts at the senior-most levels of the Cuban government, consults to companies on their strategic business planning for entry into the Cuban market, including large U.S. firms in advance preparation for the appropriate time in the future, and serves on the Board of Directors of several companies both public and private with commercial interests in Cuba. Drawing on his profound understanding of Cuba and the Cubans, Mark is also currently writing a book tracing the Cuban present through its past.   

Having served as a professional diplomat between 1981 and 1997, and Press Secretary and director of communications to the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark was Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Cuba for four (4) years from 1993 to 1997. As Ambassador, he guided all elements of the historically important and delicate relationship with Fidel Castro's Cuba under the vigilant eye of the United States, including political, commercial and security relations. He was the architect of a dynamic trade development strategy. Canada's trade with Cuba increased markedly, doubling year-over-year for two years in a row and, during his tenure, Canada became Cuba's largest trade and investment partner.  

In a 1997 academic book on the bilateral relationship between Canada and Cuba, his tenure as Ambassador to Cuba is described as follows:  

"Of particular importance is Mark Entwistle ...A tireless and extremely talented negotiator, he is undoubtedly the most dynamic and successful Ambassador to Cuba during the revolutionary period."

He is the recipient of the prestigious Saul Hayes Award for Human Rights of the Canadian Jewish Congress for his work in supporting the Cuban Jewish community.

Mark is also a Fellow of the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute (CDFAI).