Local News
BVI Delegation Joins SOTIC 2024 in the Cayman Islands
A delegation from the British Virgin Islands, led by Clive McCoy, Director of Tourism, is attending the annual State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in the Cayman Islands from September 2 to 6, 2024. The event, organised by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), is a major gathering for industry leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers across the region.
The conference, which officially commenced on September 4, features a series of presentations and discussions on key topics such as sustainability, technology and innovation, aviation and connectivity, cruise tourism, leadership and legacy, and business continuity planning. McCoy presented on the topic of Business Continuity Planning, sharing insights from the British Virgin Islands’ experiences, following his participation in the CTO business sessions earlier in the week.
The BVI delegation includes Natalie Penn-Lake, Standards & Training Manager at the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission (BVITBFC); Calvin Smith, Product Officer for Transportation at BVITBFC; Naomi Onwufuju, the 2023 winner of the Tourism Youth Congress; Adrianne Thomas, BVI’s representative at the CTO Tourism Youth Congress; and Lucena Weekes, an English teacher from Elmore Stoutt High School.
“The business meetings were very productive and informative,” McCoy noted. “I was pleased to share my knowledge on how our experiences in the Territory have shaped our business continuity planning. I am also looking forward to seeing our Junior Ambassador of Tourism, Ms. Adrianne Thomas, represent us at the highly anticipated CTO Tourism Youth Congress.”
The highlight of the week will be the CTO Tourism Youth Congress, scheduled for Thursday, September 5, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Adrianne Thomas, a student from Elmore Stoutt High School, will compete to become the top regional presenter, following in the footsteps of previous BVI representatives.
The week’s activities will conclude with a closing ceremony on Thursday evening, followed by a wrap-up press conference on Friday morning, September 6. The BVI delegation’s participation underscores the territory’s commitment to fostering tourism growth and innovation in the region.
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Local News
British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission Welcomes New Leadership
The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVIFSC) has announced new appointments to its governing board, with Mr. Gerard St Clair Farara KC stepping in as Chairman and Ms. Patlian Johnson as Commissioner. The appointments, confirmed by the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, mark a new chapter for the commission as it seeks to strengthen the territory’s financial services sector.
Mr. Gerard St Clair Farara KC has been appointed to a three-year term as Chairman, effective August 1, 2024. A seasoned legal expert with a distinguished career, Farara currently serves as a Commercial Court Judge for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and leads the litigation team at the BVI office of COLLAS CRILL, formerly Farara Kerins. Farara’s prominence in the legal community is further highlighted by his appointment as Queen’s Counsel in 1996, cementing his standing as a leading figure in the Virgin Islands Bar and the broader Eastern Caribbean.
Ms. Patlian Johnson will serve a one-year term as Commissioner, also beginning on August 1, 2024. Johnson, a Strategy and Policy Advisor with extensive experience, currently holds the position of National Coordinator for the UNDP Project Office. She brings an impressive academic background, including a Master of Science in Economics and Finance from the University of Bristol and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Accounting with First Class Honours from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
The pair will replace outgoing Chairman Mr. Robin F. Gaul and Commissioner Mr. Melvin A. Turnbull, whose terms have concluded. Minister of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), praised the new appointments, stating, “I am delighted to welcome Mr. Farara and Ms. Johnson to the BVIFSC Board of Commissioners. Their combined expertise will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities facing the financial services sector.”
Smith also expressed gratitude to the departing board members for their significant contributions to the growth and stability of the territory’s financial services industry. According to the Government Information Service (GIS), these appointments underscore the Virgin Islands’ commitment to maintaining a well-regulated and competitive financial services sector.
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