Premier Wheatley Elected to Lead UK Overseas Territories Association

Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon. Dr. Natalio Wheatley, has been elected President of the UK Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) and will also serve as President of the Political Council.

Premier Wheatley expressed his vision for the role, stating, “This is not just about leadership; it’s about unity and collaboration. Together, we will harness our collective strengths to address the challenges we face, such as climate change and economic resilience, and to seize the opportunities that lie ahead for our territories. Our voices will be heard, and our aspirations will be realised.”

As part of this leadership change, Ms. Tracy Bradshaw, UK Representative and Director of the BVI London Office, has been appointed Chair of UKOTA. Bradshaw, who has been a key figure in UK-BVI relations, shared her thoughts on the new role: “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Chair of UKOTA. Alongside Premier Wheatley and our dedicated team, we will work tirelessly to ensure that the concerns and aspirations of the UK Overseas Territories are acknowledged and addressed with the utmost diligence and respect.”

UKOTA, which has served as a vital platform for the collaboration of UK Overseas Territories, enters an exciting new chapter with this leadership shift. The association plays a key role in advocating for the collective interests of the territories, ensuring they remain united on the international stage. The territories, despite their varying sizes and economic statuses, will now benefit from a more unified voice, aimed at addressing global challenges such as environmental sustainability, economic growth, and resilience.

Looking forward to 2025, UKOTA will build on the momentum of its 30th anniversary, a landmark achievement that highlights the importance of the association’s work in fostering cooperation across its member territories. UKOTA’s future efforts will be centred around strengthening relationships, enhancing dialogue, and ensuring equitable representation for all member territories, particularly smaller ones, whose concerns will be prioritized in discussions.

The appointment of Premier Wheatley as UKOTA President follows the Virgin Islands’ previous tenure in the leadership positions back in 2016 under Dr. Orlando Smith, OBE, with Benito Wheatley as Chair. This ongoing legacy of leadership reflects the Virgin Islands’ commitment to playing an active role in the advocacy and governance of UK Overseas Territories.