Coin and Flag series - United Nations Postal Administration

UN postal administration chief retires
ROBERT GRAY RETIRES AS CHIEF OF THE UNITED NATIONS POSTAL ADMINISTRATION
ON 14 FEBRUARY 2011
For the past eight years, Robert Gray has served
as Chief of the United Nations Postal Administration
(UNPA).
Mr. Gray was recruited in 2002 as Chief, UNPA,
in New York, for his philatelic marketing expertise
and business background in philatelic postal
administrations. In his capacity as Chief, he has been
instrumental in introducing new marketing ideas and
streamlining business approaches which have greatly
increased UNPA’s business growth. This has proven
especially challenging in light of the changing philatelic
market and the increase of electronic media mail.
The introduction of Personalized stamps in 2003
to the United Nations was a major accomplishment
during his time as Chief, UNPA. It has been credited
as a huge success, both with tourists visiting United
Nations Headquarters and with collectors.
Mr. Gray is also credited for launching UNPA’s
first e-commerce website, http://unstamps.un.org, in
2006/07, to offer United Nations stamps to a global
audience online.
A revamp of the UNPA stamp portfolio, including
joint issuances with major postal administrations and
participation in major international shows and exhibitions,
such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the
recent 2010 Shanghai World Exhibition, have contributed
to the success of UNPA in recent years.
UNPA’s renewed business success is not only
financial. UNPA has been and continues to be an
important outreach for promoting the goals and work
of the Organization.
Prior to becoming Chief, UNPA, Mr. Gray
worked for the Australian Postal Administration for
28 years. During his tenure there, he invented the first
perforated self-adhesive stamps for Australia Post and
was credited for its patent. He was also involved in
producing stamps for numerous postal administrations
as well as creating personalized stamps and corporate
advertising on stamps.
After retiring from the United Nations, Mr. Gray
will return to his home country, Australia, with his
wife Marina. He is eager to spend time with his family.
The staff of UNPA, as well as Mr. Gray’s friends,
colleagues and philatelic collectors, wish him all the
best in his future endeavours. He will be truly missed
by both his colleagues and philatelic collectors worldwide.
On 8 July 2010, Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon presented
Robert Gray with a certificate in recognition of his dedicated
service to the United Nations.
In the Photo (left to right): Mrs. BAN Soon-taek; Ms. Angela
Kane, Under-Secretary-General for Management; Robert Gray,
Chief, UNPA; and Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon.
next united nations stamp issue
On 12 April 2011, the United Nations Postal Administration
(UNPA) will issue three commemorative
stamps in the denominations of US$ 0.98 CHF 0.50
and € 0.35 and souvenir sheets on the theme “50th
Anniversary of Human Space Flight”.
photo: courtesy of NASA
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