Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley of the British Virgin Islands will lead a delegation to London next week for high-level meetings with the newly appointed Minister for Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, MP, and other members of the UK Parliament. The visit, from September 9th to 13th, aims to foster a modern partnership between the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the United Kingdom, rooted in mutual trust, respect, and cultural understanding.

Accompanying the Premier will be Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Lorna Smith, OBE; Ayana Glasgow, Executive Director of International Business Regulations; Kedrick Malone, Governance Reform Delivery Manager; and Kenneth Baker, Managing Director of the Financial Services Commission. His Excellency Daniel Pruce will also attend the meeting with the Overseas Territories Minister.

The delegation’s agenda includes discussions with political leaders, media, and private sector representatives from the financial and professional services industries. Premier Wheatley plans to highlight the substantial progress the BVI has made in implementing governance reforms since the Commission of Inquiry’s unprecedented review of the territory’s governance. To date, 45 of the 48 recommendations have been completed, with legislation for the remaining items moving toward final approval in the House of Assembly.

The meetings will also cover efforts to meet the recommendations of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s Mutual Evaluation Report. These efforts include establishing a Sanctions Unit, revising the national anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing strategy, and forming working groups to address risks associated with financial activities.

Climate change is also on the agenda, with meetings scheduled with private sector climate finance experts to address its impact on the Virgin Islands.

Premier Wheatley emphasized the importance of engaging directly with UK officials and stakeholders, stating: “Engaging face-to-face with parliamentarians, officials, regulators, and the private sector is critical to building stronger ties and establishing the modern partnership we seek with the United Kingdom.” A reception hosted by Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, will provide an opportunity to strengthen these ties and promote an understanding of the BVI to a broader audience.

The visit is seen as a critical step in continuing to build a stronger relationship with the United Kingdom, focusing on governance, financial regulation, and climate resilience.