Mr. Claude Kettle is Acting as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports effective 1st July, 2025, following former Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcia Potter proceeding on pre-retirement leave. Mr. Kettle will act as Permanent Secretary until the completion of the recruitment process. 

This Acting Appointment also comes following Mr. Kettle’s recent appointment as Deputy Secretary.

As Permanent Secretary, Mr. Kettle will supervise the ministry and its departments in accordance with section 56(5) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 and the Public Service Management Act and in particular, execute the strategic directives of the Minister in an efficient and effective manner. He will develop, plan, implement and report on policies, plans, initiatives, projects, and decisions in accordance with the directives of the Minister, manage and oversee the administrative functions of the Ministry and its departments, including matters related to budgeting and expenditure, procurement, human resource management, health and safety, record keeping, monitoring and evaluation, data management, disaster readiness.

Commenting on his appointment, Deputy Governor, Mr. David D. Archer, Jr. said, “Mr. Kettle’s experience in the Public Sector is vast, and he has made significant contributions to education in the Virgin Islands over the past few years. As Acting Permanent Secretary, he has pledged to deliver with the same standard of excellence and effectiveness. My office and the wider Public Service stands fully ready to support him in this new chapter of leadership.”

Mr. Kettle brings more than 30 years of experience and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Temple University, a Certificate of Training in Project Preparation and Management from the Caribbean Development Bank, a Certificate in the Development of Effective Policy from the Royal Institute of Public Administration and a Certificate in Trade Negotiations and Diplomacy from the London School of Economics.

The Government of the Virgin Islands remains fully committed to the advancement of public officers.

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About:

The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports provides leadership and funding, develops policy and legislation, develops accountability frameworks and monitors the performance of all education, youth, sports and library matters.

The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports has responsibility for all educational services, the Department of Library Services, the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports as well as the BVI National Commission for UNESCO.

This announcement is published jointly by the Office of the Deputy Governor and the Department of Human Resources.