Roadtown, Tortola - His Excellency the Governor, after consultation with the Public Service Commission, has appointed Ms. Sherri Ortiz to the post of Executive Director, International Finance Centre.
Ms. Ortiz, whose appointment became effective January 1, 2009, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and Finance from Bowie University, Maryland, USA, has completed Masters of Business studies and holds a Compliance Diploma from the International Compliance Association in the United Kingdom.
Over the years, Ms. Ortiz has worked with the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority and served as State Programme Administrator, Department of Education, Government of the Virgin Islands, United States Virgin Islands from 1991–1994. Ms. Ortiz held the post of Assistant Vice President, Mortgage Lending, First Virgin Islands FSB, St. Thomas, USVI, from 1994–1996, prior to her return to the Territory.
In 1997 Ms. Ortiz was appointed as Assistant Financial Secretary, Ministry of Finance, and later served as Deputy Financial Secretary from 1998–2002. She resigned from the public service and was employed in the private sector from 2003– 2007, working with MWM Financial Services and Abacus Trust from 2003-2005 as their Managing Financial Consultant and then as Compliance Manager with Citco BVI Limited from 2005-2007.
Ms. Ortiz returned to the public service in 2007 and was appointed Chief Operations Officer, International Finance Centre, a position which she held until her current appointment as executive director.
The executive director is responsible for advising on the recruitment of staff, operational functions and organisational structure of the IFC, establishing and maintaining sound relationships with the industry and engaging collaborations when appropriate on marketing and promotional strategies for the Territory as a financial services jurisdiction; organising promotional tours in key markets such as the United States of America, Hong Kong, Europe, Latin American and other emerging markets to promote the industry’s key messages to potential clients and international investors.
The holder of the position is also responsible for negotiating tax information agreements with international countries, and monitoring international and economic development to ensure timely and appropriate response to occurrences which may affect the viability of the Territory as a financial services centre and a tourism destination.
Ms. Ortiz replaces Mrs. Lorna Smith who retired from the Public Service on December 1, 2008.
British Virgin Islands News