His Excellency the Governor, Mr. John S. Duncan, OBE, after consultation with the Public Service Commission has appointed Ms. Anne Lennard to the post of Deputy Director of Culture.

Ms. Lennard assumed responsibility for the post on March 23. She is responsible for assisting with planning and coordinating cultural activities and events; organising training and workshops for the cultural workforce; coordinating performing arts programmes in the primary schools; managing the BVI Folk Museum; and acting as the Director of Culture, when required.

Prior to her appointment at the Department of Culture, Ms. Lennard was a lecturer at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Virgin Gorda campus.  She served as the Chairperson of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee in 2005. She also served as Director and Deputy Director of Tourism with the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission.  Ms. Lennard has also been employed with Road Town Wholesale Trading Limited/Riteway Foodmarkets.

Ms. Lennard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands and completed professional seminars in Tourism Management with the University of the West Indies, Centre for Management Development and Emory University Learning Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Department of Culture was established in 2006. Its mission is to preserve the BVI’s cultural heritage and develop commercial opportunities for artists and crafts persons.