volume III redesign final active2 - Government of the British Virgin

Volume III
Issue 9
Spring/Summer 2011
British Virgin Islands
LONDON
OFFICE
News, Events & Updates
Art & Culture Show and Territory Day Reception
The British Virgin Islands London Office
(BVILO) held its annual Art and Culture
Show and Territory Day Reception on
28 June to the delight of more than 100
guests. The featured artist was Enriquito “Quito” Rymer who debuted his
‘Phoenix Collection: Rising from the Ashes.’ Also on display was the art work of
up-and-coming artists Ms. Aya Marie
Hewlett and Ms. Kishma V. S. Penn.
The evening’s guest of honour was Mr.
Richard Ottaway, Member of Parliament
and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Group and Chairman of the Foreign
Affairs Select Committee, who applauded BVI athletes seeking to qualify for
the games.
See Photo Gallery on pages 6-7
BVILO Director Kedrick Malone addressing Territory Day Reception guests
The evening capped off with the closing of a silent auction that raised over Olympic athletes on the ‘Road to the London 2012 Olympics’.
$16,000 that will be donated to the BVI (See page 12 for the list of donors).
Olympic Committee in support of BVI
Continued on page 8
Building Relationship with the European Union
Left to right: BVILO Director, Kedrick Malone; Financial
Secretary, Neil Smith; Minister of Communication and Works,
Hon. Julian Fraser; Assistant Secretary for Special Projects,
Elvia Smith-Maduro; Political/Public Affairs Officer, Benito
Wheatley
The Honourable Julian Fraser, Minister of Communication & Works, led a BVI delegation to the 2011
Overseas Countries and Territories Association
(OCTA) Ministerial Conference and 9th European
Union (EU)-Overseas Countries and Territories
(OCT) Forum (EU-OCT Forum) in New Caledonia
from 28 February to 4 March 2011. The meetings
focused on the future relationship between the EU
and OCTs. Among the annual gathering’s achievements was the signing of a Joint Position Paper (JPP)
by the heads of delegations of the OCTs and United
Kingdom (UK), France, Netherlands and Denmark
that sets out a framework for a new partnership between the EU and OCTs under a new EU Overseas
Association Decision (OAD). The OAD is expected
to be presented by the EU in 2012 and will formalise
the new partnership/relationship envisioned in the
original green paper published in 2008.
Continued on page 2
Director’s Message: Ambassadors Galore!
Those of us who represent
the Government of the British Virgin Islands on an official
level
are
always
heartened by the magnificent
achievements of those who
represent the Territory in other arenas. Over the past
months, the Territory has
been magnificently represented by a wide range of ambasKedrick Malone
sadors in sports, tourism and
entertainment; each proving
that the British Virgin Islands has an abundance of
talent second to none.
Despite global economic challenges, the BVI remains
steadfast in its efforts to maintain its world-class
economic standing. The Territory was listed as the
only offshore financial centre on this year’s Global
Financial Centres Index whose rating did not fall;
validating the strength of the jurisdiction’s regulatory
regime and adherence to international standards. In
the tourism arena, the BVI’s superb sailing waters has
attracted two major regattas set to take place at the
end of the year. These strides display the resiliency
of the Territory in a challenging global economy.
In this issue we highlight some of the Territory’s
activities and achievements in the first half of the year
and provide a dazzling photo-spread of our annual Art
and Culture Show and Territory Day Reception that
From our gold winning Culinary and Special Olympics raised funds in support of BVI athletes on the ‘Road
Sailing teams to London 2012 Olympic qualifier to the London 2012 Olympic Games.’
Tahesia Harrigan-Scott to classic musical perform- As summer 2011 comes to a close, we invite you to
ances in the UK by Quito Rymer, these ambassadors join with us in making the second half of the year even
of goodwill have boosted our national pride and more successful than the first.
confidence in these economically uncertain times.
Continued from page 1...Building Relationship with the European Union
The BVI delegation also participated in trilateral meetings with the European Commission where it discussed
a number of important funding issues both bilaterally and in the Territory’s capacity as Deputy Regional
Authorising Officer for the EU’s 10th European Development Fund envelope for OCTs. Two major EU
projects geared to help the Territory strengthen its small business sector and stimulate new economic activity
are expected to kick-off in the Territory later this year.
EUROPEAN UNION
Raising Awareness of Overseas Countries & Territories
Deputy Director of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Mr. Zebalon McLean, and Mr. Benito
Wheatley, BVI London Office Political Officer, attended an
OCTA Info Day event on 12 April in Brussels, Belgium
organised to help raise awareness of the environmental
and economic challenges facing Overseas Countries and
Territories (OCTs) of the European Union (EU).
As one of the programme’s featured panellists, Mr.
McLean gave a presentation to a room of EU policy
makers and legislators entitled “Advancing Comprehensive Disaster Management among the Virgin Islands and
the Caribbean OCTs”. He emphasised the need for a
Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) programme and highlighted disaster management practices
in the BVI and the components of the Territory’s early
warning systems.
Left to right: BVILO Political/Public Affairs Officer, Beni-
The presentation displayed the ability of OCTs to move
to Wheatley; UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office
EU/OCT Co-Ordinator, Russell Phillips; DDM Deputy
toward self-reliance with appropriate assistance from the
Director, Zebalon McClean
EU. The BVI is currently Vice President of the Overseas
Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) and plays a
key role in planning and organising the organisation’s among members of the European Parliament
events and initiatives, including building awareness (MEPs) of OCTs.
www.bvi.org.uk
2
TIEAs Signed with Czech Republic and India
In a statement released following the ceremony, the parties
said, “The Czech Republic recognises the BVI government's
reputation as a constructive and co-operative member of the
international community with a globally integrated and responsible finance centre.”
Left to right: Deputy Premier Dancia Penn, OBE,
Prior to the signing, the BVI signed a similar agreement in
QC and Czech Republic’s First Deputy Minister,
London with India on 9 February. The BVI has surpassed the
Ladislav Mincic
12 TIEA minimum set by the Organisation of Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) which allows govern- civil or criminal investigations. Fifteen of the
ments to request information from each other on tax related BVI’s 22 TIEAs are with OECD Members.
IFC Holds Trusts Roundtable in London
Director of the BVI International
Finance Centre (IFC) Sherri Ortiz,
led an IFC sponsored roundtable
discussion with senior private
sector individuals at BVI House in
London on 24 June where participants discussed the benefits of
Sherri Ortiz
using the Territory as a jurisdiction
for trusts and estates. The major
topics of discussion were the uses of the Virgin
Islands Special Trust Act, 2003 (VISTA) and Private
Trust Companies (PTCs). Participants also discussed legislation supporting trust business and the
potential impact of international developments on the
trust and estate sector in the future.
Among the trust and estate practitioners present were
representatives from Ogier BVI, Conyers Dill & Pearman and Equity Trust (BVI). Commenting on the
issues raised in the roundtable, Ms. Ortiz said, “The
BVI continues to provide a balance between meeting
the requirements of international business within a
regulatory environment that meets international standards.” On the previous day the IFC hosted a cocktail
reception attended by members of London’s private
sector.
Territory Shows Strong Performance in
Global Financial Centres Index
The BVI held its position at number 40 in the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) Edition 9 that ranks the
world’s 75 leading financial centres and measures their competitiveness. As a jurisdiction the Territory made
gains in its rating, largely on account of compliance with international standards of regulation and tax and
information sharing. The BVI is the only offshore financial centre on the GFCI this year to record such an
improvement. In the previous edition, the Territory shared the number 40 spot with Portugal whose rank
dropped this year.
Commercial Court Registry Opens
Eastern Caribbean
Commercial Court
The Commercial Court Registry (Registry) was officially opened on 5 July.
The Registry is a critical component of the Commercial Court Division of the
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court whose function is to provide the court
with administrative support. Among other things, the Registry handles Case
Flow Management of all commercial matters that includes setting dates for
cases to be heard by the Commercial Court Judge. The Commercial Court
Registry is located on lower Main Street on the second floor of the old
government administration building.
BVI London Office ...’Serving the Interests of the British Virgin Islands’
3
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Social
Development, Hon. Dancia Penn, OBE, QC signed the
Territory’s 22nd Tax and Information Exchange Agreement
(TIEA) with the Czech Republic during a brief ceremony in
Prague on 13 June 2011. The Czech Republic’s First Deputy
Minister, Ladislav Mincic, signed on behalf of his government.
TOURISM
National Culinary Team Wins Gold at International Competition
The National Culinary Team won five gold, one
silver and three bronze medals at the Caribbean
Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) annual
“Taste of the Caribbean” competition in Miami,
Florida held from 23-26 June. The team’s
members include Head Coach, Chef Henry Prince;
Team Captain, Chef Kenneth Molyneaux, Treasure
Isle Hotel; Chef Imran Ashton, Charlie’s; Chef
Caswall Ponte, Little Dix Bay Resort; Junior Chef
Mikhala Bagot; Pastry Chef MacGarvey Thompson,
National Culinary Team, Premier Ralph T O’Neal
HLSCC; Brentfield Lettsome, HLSCC; Jason Dalmand supporters
ida Jr., Bitter End Yacht Club; Pastry Chefs Ansony Salmon, Peter Island Resort & Spa; and
Bartender Elton Sprauve, Mine Shaft Cafe.
Premier Ralph T. O’Neal congratulated the team on
During the competition the team prepared a three- their victory in a welcome home ceremony. On the
course meal in less than four hours using a occasion he stated that the team’s victory can “entice
mystery basket of ingredients and also completed and attract more tourists to visit the BVI because of the
an ice carving and beef and seafood dishes. delicacies being offered.”
BVI Spring Regatta Celebrates 40th Anniversary
The BVI Spring Regatta celebrated its 40th
anniversary from 28 March to 3 April. The
regatta, which began in 1972 with 25 boats, is
one of the Caribbean’s premier international
sailing events.
This year’s race attracted over 122 sailing vessels that assembled on four different racecourses that took boats around the numerous
islands that make up the BVI. Among the pack
was Sir Richard Branson sailing his catamaran
Necker Belle from Ingrid Abery. He was joined
by sports commentator and Olympic sailor
Shirley Robertson who filmed the race for the
CNN program ‘Mainsail’.
BVI Spring Regatta
The 41st BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing
Festival is scheduled for 26 March - 1 April 2012
BVI Attracting Superyacht Events
Building on its successful opening and co-hosting of
the Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous,
YCCS Marina of North Sound, Virgin Gorda is organising a November Transatlantic Superyacht Regatta that
will begin in Tenerife, Canary Islands and end in North
Sound, Virgin Gorda. The regatta will open simultaneously with the International Maxi Association (IMA)
Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Cup set for late November
that will also begin in Tenerife and end in North Sound.
YCCS Marina, North Sound, Virgin Gorda
The joint arrival of competitors in the two events will
bring to the BVI one of the largest fleets of Mega
Yachts ever in the islands’ history. The Royal British
Virgin Islands Yacht Club will support the arrival operations of both races.
www.bvi.org.uk
4
European Union Funds Conservation Management
Premier and Minister of Finance,
Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal and Ingrid
Scatliffe-Moses
The purpose of the project is to develop facilities at selected national parks
and to implement integrated management plans for conservation management and sustainable use of protected areas and their surroundings. The
national parks and sites identified in the BVI for inclusion in the project are
Copper Mine Point, Gorda Peak and the Baths on Virgin Gorda; Sage
Mountain on Tortola; and the Iguana Headstart Facility on Anegada.
Three Project Steering Committee Meetings have been held thus far, with
the most recent taking place in the BVI between 9 – 11 May.
Civil Servants Trained on Climate Change Assessments
ica and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Dr. Charmaine
Gomes, the Sustainable Development Officer for
ECLAC and Dr. Troy Lorde, lecturer with the
Department of Economics at the University of the
West Indies, facilitated the workshop.
The training provided attendees with the methodology to assess climate change’s economic impact on
the BVI’s coastal and marine sector, which includes
related recreational activities, the health and vitality
Civil Servants receiving training at climate change workshop
of coral reefs, sea-grass beds, mangroves, beaches, marine biodiversity and fisheries that all overlap
Civil servants from across government received with the tourism sector.
training on conducting climate change assessments
from 18 – 19 May. The training took place at a The local climate change assessment training underworkshop coordinated by the Conservation and scores the Territory’s ongoing efforts to build internal
Fisheries Department under the auspices of the capacity to combat the negative effects of climate
United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin Amer- change.
Territory Combats Lionfish Invasion
Representatives from the Caribbean Oceanic Restoration
and Education (CORE) Foundation paid a special visit to
the Territory between 19-21 May to share the
organisation’s approach to handling invasive species.
Core CEO and President Mr. Josesph Gulli, and
Programme Director Mr. Karl Pytlik, made presentations and a
demonstration to crewed yachts’ personnel on successful
management techniques used in the United States Virgin
Islands (USVI), where CORE is based. The two representatives also met with dive operators and staff from the
Conservation and Fisheries Department (CFD) and the
National Parks Trust (NPT) to share removal practices
through the handling of spear guns.
CORE’s visit coincided with the launching of a newly
formed local non-governmental organisation (NGO), Reef
Guardians, established to help remove invasive species
from BVI waters. Reef Guardians will be responsible for
Lionfish
handling all lionfish sighting calls and will have
full-time staff specifically hired to remove the
invasive species such as lionfish. Approximately 200 lionfish have been caught in BVI waters
since March 2010.
BVI London Office ...’Serving the Interests of the British Virgin Islands’
5
ENVIRONMENT
Premier Ralph T. O’Neal and Ms. Ingrid Scatliffe-Moses, Chairwoman of
the National Parks Trust, signed a grant contract on 15 March with the
European Union to receive €560,000 for a conservation management
initiative under the EU’s Management of Protected Areas to Support Sustainable Economies programme. Other parties to the project include the
Turks and Caicos Islands and Cayman Islands.
BVI ART AND CULTURE SHOW
Annual Art & Culture Show and Territory Day Reception
Richard Ottaway MP, Guest of Honour
Quito Rymer, Featured Artist
Auctioneer David Winter explains prize to Carol
Hay of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation as
Lindsey Hole, MP makes a bid
BVI House Art Gallery
Kedrick Malone and
Benito Wheatley BVILO
Political Affairs Officer
BVI Friend Anne Hollowood, Kedrick
Malone and BVI Friend Bill Iden
Peter Pendfold, Former BVI
Governor and Kedrick Malone
Amanda Francis, Kedrick Malone and Lindsay
Hoyle MP and Former APPG Chairman
Josephine townsend-Scott, Roxanne
Birmingham and Deborah Malone
www.bvi.org.uk
6
...continued
Debbie Ransen, Head of BBC Caribbean
and husband with Kedrick Malone
Kedrick Malone and Janice Panton,
UK Representative for Montserrat
Kishma Penn, Artist and Aya Marie Hewlette, Artist
BVI London Office Team and Art Curators
BVI Friend John Kennedy, Frank Savage,
Former BVI Governor and BVI Friend David
Winter
Guests at the Territory Day Reception
Mark Lever of Edelman and Sukey
Cameron, UK Representative for
Falkland Islands
BVI London Office ...’Serving the Interests of the British Virgin Islands
7
TERRITORY DAY RECEPTION
David Pearey, Former BVI Governor
with Kedrick Malone
BVI HOUSE
Sharing BVI Heritage with Friends
of Education. Director of the BVI London Office, Mr.
Kedrick Malone, thanked the film’s benefactor, Sir
David Green - son of Thomas Green, who was the
evening’s guest of honour.
The silent film displayed island life in the BVI during
the period 1946-47 and its natural beauty prior to
the Territory’s modernisation. In appreciation of Sir
David’s instrumental role in salvaging the film footage and donating it to the Territory, Mr. Malone
presented Sir David and his wife, Lady Corrine
Green, with gifts.
The show was attended by over 40 guests, including Colin Roberts, Director of the Overseas Territories Directorate of the Foreign and Commonwealth
The BVI London Office (BVILO) held its first Friends Office. In his closing remarks, Mr. Malone said,
Evening of 2011 on 29 March at BVI House that fea- “The video presentation was an important means of
tured a film screening of 1940s footage of the British exposing the Friends of the BVI and other guests to
Virgin Islands. The footage was originally recorded by the BVI’s culture and history.”
the late Thomas Green, the Territory’s first Supervisor
Left to right: Lady Corinne Green; Former BVI Governor, Frank
Savage; BVILO Director, Kedrick Malone; Political/Public Affairs Officer, Benito Wheatley. At podium: Sir David Green
Quito Rymer Helps Boost Ties Between BVI and
Hertfordshire County
The BVI London Office facilitated a day long visit by
Quito Rymer to Hertfordshire County on 29 June to
engage youth interested in music and art. Accompanied
by Acting Management Officer Suzette Vanterpool,
Quito visited the Sele Performing Arts School as part of
a cultural showcase organised to expose local students
to BVI Culture. While there, he performed his acoustic
guitar to an audience of students who are learning to
play the guitar. He later fielded several questions about
his influences and style of music.
Quito’s visit also took him to the Turnford School where
he directed a Master class of art students. There he
shared his drawing “Hat Time” with the students who
Quito Rymer leading students in an art exercise during
skilfully interpreted its meaning. Quito concluded his
his visit to Hertfordshire County
visit to Hertfordshire County at the Roundwood Primary
school where a small group of steel pan players pereration between the BVI and Hertfordshire is
formed.
Ready for Winners Partnership (HRFWP). The two
The Hertfordshire visit builds upon the June 2009 schools visited have established links with primary
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sports Coop- schools in the Territory.
Continued from page 1...Art & Culture Show and Territory Day Reception
Mr. Ottaway and another Member of Parliament, Mr. Lindsay Hoyle, former Chair of the BVI All Party
Parliamentary Group (APPG), won holiday prizes and as a result will be visiting the Territory in the coming
year. (See list of donors on page 12).
The evening ended with a musical performance by Quito Rymer playing his guitar and singing a medley of
songs from his albums. Rymer said that “I am honoured to have been chosen as the featured artist for this
year’s BVI Art and Culture Show”. The three artists’ work will remain on display and sale at BVI house for one
year. Persons interested in scheduling a viewing should send an email to enquiries@bvi.org.uk.
www.bvi.org.uk
8
BVILO Holds 5th Annual Student Seminar ‘Brave New World’
STUDENT
The facilitators and students discussed a number of issues,
including how to thrive in different organisational cultures;
how to reconcile West Indian values with international
organisational cultures; how to embrace new cultures; how
to deal with cultural stereotypes and how to value praise
versus criticism. In addition to multicultural issues, BVILO
staff provided the students with updated information on
governmental matters affecting students such as the pending UK tuition hike. Each participant received a copy of the
book “Cultural Intelligence” by Brooks Peterson.
BVI Students in the UK Attending Student
Seminar at BVI House
Commenting on the seminar, Mr. Justin
Mactavious, an engineering student enrolled
at the University of East London said “These
are issues that we encounter regularly as students and I can now begin to appreciate how
important it is to expand our knowledge and
embrace other cultures as we prepare for the
future.”
Cara Spann Reflects on BVILO Summer Internship Experience
When I first applied for the BVI London Office Summer
Internship I did not know what to expect. I interned
for a four week period under the supervision of the
Political Affairs Officer, Benito Wheatley. My primary
work assignment was to prepare report summaries or
briefings on various documents. Amazingly, I read on
varied subject matters of local and international
scope including issues in trade, tourism, development
aid, EU matters and the relationship between the
United Kingdom and the Overseas Territories. I also
had the pleasure of assisting with the preparations for
the BVI Arts & Culture Show and attending lectures
and events outside of the office.
white sands, blue waters and
zero income tax. As a student
the question I ask myself is
“how can I be of service to my
country?" Not surprisingly,
there are a number of
areas/fields that are currently
being underserved such as
trade, international finance, European Union law and policy,
health, Constitutional law and
the list goes on.
Intern Cara Spann
and BVILO Director,
Kedrick Malone
My hope is especially for stuAs a law student the experience was both engaging dents in school and going away to school to consider
and insightful. The BVI faces many challenges and a wider range of options and be visible and active
my experience gave me an appreciation of the bigger participants in the future development of the country.
picture. As a country we have more to offer than our
Resource Centre Upgraded to Meet Student Needs
The Resource Centre at BVI House has been
upgraded to enhance its appeal to students
and other users. The upgrades include the
addition of a work station with internet access
and a roundtable with four comfortable arm
chairs. The Centre also boasts a number of
multimedia resources, including a television
and a DVD player. It also has a collection of
BVI authored books, local newspapers and
information on the Territory from many
sources.
development of
the
Resource
Centre and hope
that BVIslanders
in the UK will take
advantage of all
that it has to offer.”
The
Resource
Benito Wheatley, Premier Ralph T. O’Neal
Centre was estaband Kedrick Malone at Resource Centre
lished to provide
students,
researchers,
professionals
and others with access to a variety
On a visit to BVI House in April, Premier Ralph
of
audio,
video,
print
and
electronic resources.
T. O’Neal said “I am pleased with the
BVI London Office ...’Serving the Interests of the British Virgin Islands’
9
NEWS
The 5th Annual Professional Development Seminar
themed ‘Brave New World: Making it Your Own’ was held
at BVI House on 16 April 2011. Sixteen BVI students
studying in the United Kingdom (UK) participated in the
day-long event. The seminar was facilitated by Joy Nichols, MBE, QAEP, RSA, and Martina Crafton, both successful West Indian entrepreneurs.
SPORTS
Tahesia Harrigan-Scott Qualifies for London 2012 Olympics
Sprinter Tahesia Harrigan-Scott became the first British Virgin Islander to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games on 15 May when
she placed second in the 100 meters in Belem, Brazil with a time of
11.33. Her time also qualified her for the International Association of
Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Daegu, South
Korea in August 2011 where she will join fellow BVI athlete Chantelle
Malone who will compete in the Long Jump.
Tahesia Harrigan-Scott
Harrigan-Scott is the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games
100 meter champion and past winner at the Central American and
Caribbean Championships 2007 and 2009. She was also a 100
meter semi-finalist at the Beijing Olympic Games. The qualifying
period for the London Games began on May 1 and runs through July
8, 2012.
‘Road to London 2012 Olympic Games’
The BVI Olympic Committee officially launched its
“Road to the London 2012 Olympic Games” campaign at a press conference in March. The press
conference was attended by His Excellency the
Governor Mr. Boyd McCleary and Minister of Education and Culture Hon. Andrew Fahie, among
others. Both officials commended the work of the
BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) on its preparations for the London Olympic Games and encouraged the private sector and public to financially
support BVI Olympic athletes.
Left to right: BVIOC Vice President, Neville Smith; BVIOC
President, Ephraim Penn; Coach, Dag Samuels; His
Excellency the Governor Boyd McCleary; Carfan Tours Vice
President, Donald Williams; BVIOC Executive Director, Cleave
Farrington
BVIOC President Mr. Ephraim Penn stated that he
expects six of the Territory’s sportsmen and women
to qualify for the London 2012 Games, one of which, Omar Jones; and sailor Alec W. Anderson. More inforTahesia Harrigan-Scott, has already done so. The mation on BVIOC and the Territory’s athletes can be
remaining five include track and field athletes found at www.bviolympics.org.
Ashley Kelly, Karene King, Chantel Malone and
BVI Sailing Team Clinches Gold at Special Olympics in Athens
The Special Olympics BVI Sailing Team (SOBVI) took home
gold and silver medals at the 2011 World Special Olympics
in Athens, Greece that took place from 25 June to 4 July. The
team whose members included Elsa Meyers, Akeem David,
Delroy Gordon, Glenford Gordon, Jaye Noel and Lenford
Pope sailed in teams of two in a week long regatta at three
levels of competition. Accompanying the young athletes
were Coach Alison Knights Bramble of the BVI Watersports
Centre and Head of Delegation Lorna Dawson.
The team recorded a strong performance at the Athens
Games. At Level 4, Delroy Gordon and Lenford Pope took
home gold. At level 2, Glenford Gordon and Elsa Meyers took
home silver, and at level five, Jaye Noel and Akeem David
placed fifth.
BVI Special Olympics Sailing Team with Kedrick
Malone and Benito Wheatley at BVI House on the
way to Athens
Sailing Team in Latin America and the
Coach Bramble said of the team’s performance, “Over the Caribbean.
past seven days, I have never been more proud of any group
of young people that I have accompanied to a regatta, Continued on page 12
anywhere.” The sailing crew is the only Special Olympics
www.bvi.org.uk
10
Premier and Mrs. O’Neal Attend Royal Wedding
Lorna Smith Receives OBE
Retired Civil Servant, Mrs. Lorna Smith, was officially made an Officer of the Most
Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) at an Investiture Ceremony at Government
House on 27 May. His Excellency the Governor Mr. Boyd McCleary, CMG, CVO
presided over the ceremony and pinned her with the OBE medal in recognition of her
many years of public service.
Mrs. Smith formerly served as Permanent Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office (now
Premier’s Office) from 1989 to 1997 where she was instrumental in the modernization
of the tourism sector. She was also appointed the first Director of the BVI London Office
where she conducted extensive business and investment promotions and provided
consular support for Virgin Islanders in the United Kingdom.
The Director and staff of the BVI London Office congratulate Mrs. Lorna Smith and thank
her for her stellar contribution to the establishment of the BVI London Office.
Lorna Smith
receives medal at
Investiture
Ceremony
Management Officer Returns to the Territory
Chief Information Officer Geraldine Ritter-Freeman has returned to public service in the
BVI after a secondment in the UK where she served as Management Officer at the BVI
London Office (BVILO). She resumes her duties as head of the Government Information
Service (GIS) that is responsible for reporting on government activities.
Geraldine RitterFreeman
The Director and staff of BVILO would like to thank Mrs. Ritter-Freeman for her outstanding
service and wish her well in her future endeavours.
BVI to Host Islands of the World XII Conference 2012
The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) has been
selected by the International Small Islands Studies Association
(ISISA) to host the Islands of the World XII Conference 2012. The
conference will be held under the theme “Globalisation: Islands
Adapting to Change.” Among the topics to be covered are economic development; disaster management;
climate change, and
information technology.
Photo: Front row: Premier Ralph T. O’Neal and
HLSCC Chairman, Dr. Charles Wheatley
Back row: Director of Tourism, Ms. Hadassa
Ward; HLSCC Lecturer Dr. Jasmattie Yamrag;
Tourist Board Niche Marketing Manager,
Lynette Harrigan; HLSCC President, Dr. Karl
Dawson; HLSCC Lecturer and VI Steering
Committee Chair, Dr. Dana Lewis-Ambrose
and Public Relations Officer, Daniel Singh
At a press conference held by the conference’s local Steering
Committee, Premier Ralph T. O’Neal congratulated HLSCC on
winning the bid and said it would stimulate discourse and place
the Virgin Islands in a better place to becoming more in touch with
the “pressing issues on the global stage.” He also said the
“program will be very beneficial to the local participants.”
The conference is scheduled to run from May 29 to June 1, 2012
and is expected to draw 200 to 300 international participants.
Individuals wishing to present papers or posters should contact
Dana Lewis-Ambrose, Chair of the Virgin Islands Steering Committee via e-mail at dlewis@hlscc.edu.vg.
BVI London Office ...’Serving the Interests of the British Virgin Islands’
11
LOCAL
Premier Ralph T. O’Neal
and Mrs. Edris O’Neal
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal and wife Edris O’Neal were
guests at the royal wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Ms.
Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on 29 April in London. Immediately
following the wedding ceremony, the Premier and Mrs. O’Neal observed the fly past
from the garden of Lancaster House and also witnessed the Royal kiss. Prior to
attending the royal wedding, they were among the invited dignitaries at a Lancaster
House Reception on 28 April hosted by Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague, MP and Mrs. Hague. The Premier described his
experience as “superb, magnificent and wonderful.”
Olympic Hopeful Alec Anderson Earns National Honours
BVI Olympic hopeful Alec Anderson has been named to the 2011 InterCollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) All-American Team. The announcement came at the Nationals Banquet in Cascade Locks, Oregon, USA at
the conclusion of the ICSA National Championships held from 23 May –
1 June. During the day racing event, the ‘All-American Skipper’ helped
lead the Roger Williams University sailing team to its first national championship and rights to the Walter C. Wood Memorial Trophy.
Anderson is one of only two collegiate sophomores on this year’s list. His
name, along with those of the 9 other 2011 All-Americans, will be added
to the ICSA Hall of Fame display located in the Robert Crown Sailing
Center at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
Alec hopes to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics
Alec Anderson
Cont’d from pg. 10...BVI Sailing Team Clinches Gold at Special Olympics in Athens
Prior to the competition, the team visited the BVI London Office. The team was met by BVILO Director
Kedrick Malone and Political Officer Benito Wheatley who gave the team a tour of BVI House and hosted
them for lunch. Mr. Wheatley later escorted the team on a brief sightseeing tour of London, which included
stops at Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. Commenting on the team’s visit, Mr. Malone said “the BVI London Office wanted to do its part in supporting the team
and providing the young men who participated with a culturally enriching experience to take back home.”
Sponsors Recognised for Supporting Art & Culture Show
and Territory Day Reception
The British Virgin Islands London Office and Friends of the BVI would like to thank the following sponsors for
their generous donations to this year’s silent auction at the Art and Culture Show and Territory Day
Reception: Virgin Atlantic, Long Bay Beach Resort, The Moorings, Sugar Mill Hotel, Leverick Bay Hotel and
Vacation Villas, Guana Island, Dive BVI, Sail Caribbean Divers, Biras Creek Resort, Scrub Island Resort,
Marriott Hotel and Ms. Anne Holloway. Among the donations made were dive packages, charter yacht sailing
excursions, holiday stays at renowned resorts throughout the BVI, and roundtrip tickets on Virgin Atlantic.
The auction raised $16, 277 which will go toward supporting BVI Olympic Athletes on the ‘Road to the London
2012 Olympic Games’.
BVI Olympic Committee Partners for 2012
The BVI Olympic Committee is partnering with the Friends of the BVI and
the BVI London Office to raise funds in support of BVI athletes on the ‘Road
to London’ 2012 Olympic Games. The partnership will allow businesses to
support the athletes and the Olympic Committee through sponsorships
which would include access to Olympic venues and events. Individuals can
also support BVI Olympic athletes by purchasing BVI Olympic pins (pictured
left), on sale at BVI House. For more information, send an email to
enquiries@bvi.org.uk.
Join Us!
If you would like to offer your support or take part in our many
activities and endeavours, please contact us.
Ÿ Social Friends
Ÿ London Circle
Find us on Facebook
We hope to hear from you soon!
Tel: 020 7355 9570 or Email: enquiries@bvi.org.uk
www.bvi.org.uk
12
Published by
the Government of the British Virgin Islands
London Office
BVI House - 15 Upper Grosvenor Street
London W1K 7PJ
Tel: (0)20 7355 9570
Director: Kedrick Malone
Editor: Benito Wheatley
Contributors: GIS, IFC, Archives Unit
Design: Alexandra Gabelli for Foretec Ltd.
Printing: Repropoint UK