Governor’s Office

The Governor’s Office supports the Governor in fulfilling constitutional responsibilities outlined in the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007. The Governor oversees areas including external affairs, defense, internal security (such as the police), public service terms and conditions, and court administration.

Our Commitment to Serve

Introduction

The Governor’s Office was established to support the Constitutional responsibilities that are placed on the Governor. In accordance with The Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, the Governor shall be responsible for the conduct of any business of the Government of the Virgin Islands including the administration of any department of government, with respect to the following matters: external affairs; defence; internal security (including the police force); the terms and conditions of service of persons holding or acting in public offices; and the administration of the courts.

Vision

The vision of the Governor’s Office is to be a model of excellence and a catalyst for institutional change, development and continuous improvement in the administration and governance of the Virgin Islands.

Mission

The principal role of the Governor’s Office is to support and advise the Governor to enable him to discharge his responsibilities effectively and to represent His Majesty and the Territory at a level that reflects the economic, political and social development of our community.

The Governor’s Office comprises BVI Government (BVIG) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Development (FCDO) staff. Key areas of work are: good governance; improving the effectiveness of the police; public service modernisation; the development of criminal justice; nationality matters including the acquisition of British and British Overseas Territories’ Citizenship; ensuring the VI meets its international obligations on a range of issues - environmental, human rights, aviation and maritime safety; and security. The Governor’s Office acts as the Territory’s Authority on Mutual Legal Assistance requests and the implementation of international sanctions regimes.

The laws of the Virgin Islands also pass to the Governor certain responsibilities in relation to elections, disaster preparedness, and the prison among other matters. The Governor’s Office and Government House staff support the Governor in the discharge of these responsibilities and enable him to carry out his programme of public functions.

Core Values

The core values of the Governor’s Office are integrity, impartiality and fairness.

Integrity - putting the obligations of public service above personal interests;

Impartiality - basing advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence, acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving governments of different political parties equally well; and

Fairness - being willing to listen to the views of all sides.

Role of the Governor

The role of the Governor is a key part of the relationship between the UK and the Overseas Territories. The role enables increased powers to be devolved to the elected governments of the Territories, thus with the UK retaining those powers necessary to discharge its sovereign responsibilities and manage its contingent liabilities. The Governor does not solely represent either the UK or the BVIG, and also acts as an intermediary between the UK and the Territory’s elected representatives. The Governor is directly responsible to the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary for the Security and Good Governance of the Territory in order to meet the aforementioned UK responsibilities.

In order to carry out the responsibility for security, the Governor retains oversight and strategic direction of the RVIPF and chairs the NSC. He is also responsible for Disaster Management. The Governor carries out the role and functions of Head of State, as the representative of His Majesty the King, by assenting to legislation and approving senior public sector appointments, working in collaboration with the Premier and standing Commissions, as well as serving as Chair of the BVI Cabinet. The Governor’s formal responsibility for the effective administration of justice is exercised in collaboration with the Chief Justice and the Deputy Governor. The reserved powers exist as the last resort to ensure the Governor’s Good Governance responsibilities can be met.

The Governor’s Office serves as the principal interface between the Governor and the elected representatives; the wider arms of Government and statutory bodies.

Role of the Governor’s Office

Provide an effective channel of communication, which ensures that the concerns of the Government of the Virgin Islands are understood by the United Kingdom Government and vice versa. Also, conduct the business of the Government with all other countries and international organizations, except where authority has been devolved to the Premier or relevant Ministry e.g. CARICOM and OECS.
Provide Chairmanship for Cabinet meetings, the NSC, the National Disaster Management Council, the Prerogative of Mercy Committee and the OGHM Board.
Oversee the RVIPF to ensure effective law enforcement in the Territory and implementation of the elements of a Criminal Justice Strategy.
Leads on security at the Prison, working closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the Prison Superintendent to ensure a well-managed and secure prison.
Oversee the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and other relevant bodies to improve disaster management capability in the Territory.
Work with the Government of the Virgin Islands on economic matters and the financial services sector on meeting international regulatory standards.
Implement the UK Sanctions regime, working closely with the Financial Service Commission (FSC), the Financial Investigation Authority (FIA), the Attorney General’s Chambers and other relevant bodies.
Decides on British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) applications for registration and naturalisation, through close cooperation with Civil Registry and Passport Office.
Verify the broad range of documents (e.g. new legislation, Non-Belonger Land Holding Licenses) that require the Governor’s formal legal assent.
Liaise with the BVI Airport Authority (BVIAA), Air Safety Support International (ASSI), Virgin Islands Shipping Registry (VISR), the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) and the UK Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to maintain effective oversight of aviation and maritime safety and security and ensure international obligations are met.
Respond to telephone enquiries and written requests for information from members of the public in the Virgin Islands and overseas.
Administer the Chevening Scholarship scheme;
Respond to requests for the exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy;
Facilitate the extension of treaties and conventions, such as international human rights instruments, to the Virgin Islands;
Co-ordinate visits for dignitaries, VIPs and various UK government officials;
Process recommendations for His Majesty the King Honours and the Certificate and Badge of Honour;
Receive requests for His Majesty the King’s congratulatory messages for Virgin Islanders who are 100 years of age or older and couples who have been married for 60 years or more; and
Manage the Old Government House Museum. Host receptions for charitable events, international conference/meetings and local events at Government House.