The Government has announced today that Ms. Elise Donovan will become the interim Director of the BVI London Office (BVILO) from next month, following the departure of Mr. Benito Wheatley who has now completed his tenure as Director of the BVI London Office  

The Deputy Director in London, Dr. Sandra Besson, will be in charge of the BVI London Office in the interim. Ms. Elise Donovan, who is the Director of the BVI House Asia (Hong Kong Office), will be transitioning into the post as Director of the BVI London Office from August 20 to December 31, 2018.

In a farewell statement to colleagues, Mr. Wheatley stated, “It has been a privilege to serve as the BVI’s UK and EU Representative. There has been no greater honour in my life, with the exception of becoming the father of my sons, than to represent our country.”

Premier, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE said, “Benito has been a fine public servant and we are sorry to lose him. Elise will be a strong addition to the team in London while we identify a permanent successor and I look forward to working closely with her on the many priorities the London Office has including support for our economic pillars of financial services and the tourism sector, and ensuring that the BVI is well represented to all key stakeholders in the UK as well as the wider European arena.”

Responsibilities of the Director of BVI London Officer include, but are not limited to, advising the Premier on matters for implementation and making recommendations to ministries, international agencies, the private sector and other agencies as appropriate; strengthening BVI’s voice with Her Majesty’s Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; monitoring political, legislative and diplomatic developments in the UK and EU and providing timely analysis of issues affecting or potentially impacting the BVI.

From January Ms. Donovan will return to the BVI where she will take up the role of CEO of BVI Finance.  Mrs. Lorna Smith, OBE will retain the post until that time. Meanwhile, the Government has already started the search for a successor for Ms. Donovan as Director of BVI House Asia. The post of Director, BVI London Office is also being advertised.