The East India Trading Company's Governor was Cutler Beckett. Cutler Beckett was born and raised in an affluent merchant family in England, and following a conflict with his father, he joined the East India Company. He dutifully served the Company for many years, finally rising to the position of Director of West African Imports and Exports. He organized a quest for the mythical island of Kerma, expecting to uncover its famous treasure, from his post in Calabar. The search for Kerma, however, was thwarted when he was betrayed by Captain Jack Sparrow, the man he had put in charge of his own ship, the merchantman Wicked Wench.