Alpina names Ben Southall as new ambassador

Swiss watch manufacturer Alpina Genève has chosen Briton Ben Southall to be its new ambassador. Southall, 34, was recently appointed island caretaker of Australia’s Hamilton Island for a six-month period. The story received wide press coverage and the vacancy was dubbed “the best job in the world”.

Southall starts his job on July 1 and Alpina Genève has given him an Extreme Diver 1,000 Meters watch to wear during his time on the island. The job description requires him to “explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, scuba dive, make friends with the locals and generally enjoy the Queensland climate and lifestyle”. Responsibilities also include being the international ambassador for Queensland.

Tourism Queensland launched the idea to promote the Great Barrier Reef by offering this unique prize that money can’t buy. Southall, a charity worker from Petersfield in Hampshire, was chosen from 36,648 applicants from 201 countries.

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