FRIDAY 24 JANUARY, 2020

H O M E

A B O U T

EVENTS

BVI GLOBAL IMPACT

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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS FORUM

BVI FINANCE AGM

COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO OFFER SOLAR ENERGY TRAINING

The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) and Power 52, an employment training company for solar energy, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which the Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley described the move as the step that Government is making to offer technician training in solar energy that will better the lives of future generations.

“It behoves us to go green,” Minister Wheatley said, adding that “We will not be a generation that hurts the future, we will be a generation that helps the future. It is important to equip our children with the tools that they need to be able to participate in what will be a new industry here in the Virgin Islands and I am excited about that possibility.” The Minister also emphasized that the Territory is doing its part to lessen disasters caused by climate change through renewable energy.

Commenting, Acting President of HLSCC Dr. Richard Georges said: “The programme that is being designed today, will ensure that its graduates are able to work anywhere in the world. The level of certifications that will be made available will ensure that persons who complete this programme, will be able to install solar systems anywhere. That is an invaluable asset to have.” 

The programme’s MOU was a joint effort between the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation, HLSCC, Power 52, and Unite BVI. To read the full article, click here.

AYANA HULL NAMED HEAD OF BVI PRIVATE WEALTH TEAM AND REGULATORY PRACTICE

Harneys has announced the promotion of Ayana Hull to head of the British Virgin Islands Private Wealth and Regulatory practice. 

Hull has over 15 years of experience practising BVI commercial law and has been with Harneys since 2013. She regularly advises both corporate and private individuals wishing to establish, operate and invest in the BVI.

As part of her role as a key advisor to those undertaking large scale development projects in the BVI, she advises and negotiates on property acquisition and disposal matters for both individual and commercial clients. They rely on her detailed knowledge of BVI legislation as well her strong relationships with governmental and regulatory bodies. She also assists clients with the full registration process for ships in the BVI, including registration of new builds, acquisition and finance and charter and crew employment agreements. 

Commenting, BVI Managing Partner, Tanya Cassie-Parker, said: “I would like to congratulate Ayana on her promotion and wish her every success in her new role. I am certain the BVI Private Wealth and Regulatory practice will continue to strengthen and prosper under her leadership.”

BVI Finance would also like to congratulate Ayana Hull on this latest achievement! Read the full announcement, here.

SPOTLIGHT

WON TO HOST BREAKFAST SEMINAR ON 14 FEB

The Women’s Offshore Network is pleased to host the “WON LOVE Breakfast” on 14^th February 2020 from 8:00am to 9:30am, aimed at dispelling some common nutrition and exercise myths and provide some tips on how to fuel both the mind and the body.

Creating success is an inside job and self-care is the key to becoming the kind of person who has the power to attract success and happiness. Speakers fitness guru Lisa Adamson and wellness expert and chef, Terri Benjamin will be speaking to the audience about the best ways to be their best selves.

To register for what is sure to be a can’t miss the event, contact wonbvi@gmail.com. Registration is free for members and US$25.00 for non-members on WON.

BVI IAC BOARD MEMBER AWARDED QUEEN’S COUNSEL TITLE

The BVI International Arbitration Centre (BVI IAC) Board member Murray Smith has been awarded the honorary title of Queen’s Counsel.

“We congratulate Mr. Smith on this tremendous and richly-deserved honour. For decades, he has been an internationally-recognised leader in the field of commercial arbitration law and we are proud to have someone of his calibre serving on our board,” said Centre CEO Francois Lassalle.

Smith, a chartered arbitrator at Smith Barristers in Vancouver, British Columbia (BC) was appointed to the BVI IAC Board in 2015. Smith joined 25 other successful BC candidates for the QC designation in 2019, out of 163 nominations submitted. Candidates must be members of the BC bar for a minimum of five years and be nominated by their peers. 

An advisory committee reviews the applications and makes recommendations to the attorney general. Currently, there are 499 QCs out of approximately 12,700 practising members of the BC bar.

The BVI IAC board is comprised of five members – John Beechey, CBE; Mark Forte; Cherno Jallow, QC; Murray Smith, QC, and Felice Swapp. 

Read the full announcement, here.

Weekend Reading Suggestions

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS: INTERIM RECEIVERSHIPS IN THE BVI: A CAUTIONARY TALE

BVI's Carey Olsen team, comprised of Ben Mays, Richard Brown and Olga Osadchaya, recently wrote an article speaking about a Court of Appeal decision. The recent Court of Appeal decision in the British Virgin Islands provides essential guidance for those seeking to invoke receivership orders in the context of complex international litigation.

Read the full article on Mondaq, here.

DAVOS 2020 AND CLIMATE CHANGE: HOW INVESTMENT RISKS HAVE SHIFTED OVER A DECADE

As recently as ten years ago the environment didn’t register in the top risks for discussion at the World Economic Forum. Now it dominates. This has important implications for investors.

This week the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) is taking place in Davos. Attendees include leaders from the worlds of politics and business who meet to discuss global policy priorities for the coming year. 

This year, ESG (environment, social, governance) themes have been in the spotlight, with the programme covering topics such as ‘How to save the planet’. Speakers have included teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg and outgoing Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, who is due to take up a new role as UN special envoy for climate action and finance.

The reason such concerns are top of the Davos agenda becomes clear when we see the WEF’s assessment of the top global risks for 2020. Click here to read more about how investment risks seem to have shifted over a decade.

IN THE NEWS

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Residents Told To Motivate Each Other For a Healthier BVI

Cryptocurrency Market Update: Bitcoin, Ripple and Ethereum dive into the rabbit holes

More jobs coming as gov't signs 'redevelopment' deal with Peter Island

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 

Business Solutions Forum

Road Town, Tortola | 28 Jan



Annual General Meeting

Road Town, Tortola | 28 Jan

February

Mining Indaba

Cape Town, South Africa | 3 Feb - 6 Feb

BVI Finance Breakfast Forum

Road Town, Tortola | 19 Feb