B.V.I. Monday, October 12 – Cabinet has approved the two-year appointment of Mr. Kedrick Malone as the new Director of the BVI London Office.
As part of his orientation before leaving for London to assume his duties, last week Mr. Malone paid a courtesy call on Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE. He also met with various officials including His Excellency the Governor David Pearey, Attorney General Honourable Kathleen Quartey, Deputy Governor Mrs. Inez Archibald, Financial Secretary Mr. Neil Smith, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs. Rosalie Adams, Acting Director of Tourism Ms. Haddassah Ward and Managing Director of the Financial Services Commission Mr. Robert Mathavious. The new director also held meetings with permanent secretaries and other key officials.
Mr. Malone, whose appointment took effect on October 1, said he welcomes the opportunity to serve in this capacity. “I am honoured to serve the Virgin Islands once again, especially during this challenging time in our development. I wish to thank the Premier and his Cabinet for their selection and I look forward to working with all public servants as a team to help the Virgin Islands prosper,” Mr. Malone said.
Mr. Malone, who succeeds Ms. Dawn Smith, is now the Territory’s official representative in the United Kingdom and Europe responsible for strengthening the voice of the Virgin Islands with Her Majesty’s Government and providing diplomatic representation. The new director will also work to enhance the international impact of the Virgin Islands and promote Virgin Islands business, including new international investment.
The new head joins the BVI London Office after an extensive 20-year public and private sector career. He was Director of the BVI Tourist Board and later served as Executive Director of International Development, FreemanGroup, a leading global hospitality training and quality measurement firm.
He is a former deputy secretary in the chief minister’s office from 1992-1995 where he was responsible for matters relating to trade, regional and international affairs, and cruise tourism. Mr. Malone also served as the Territory’s first film commissioner during this period. Between 1999 and 2002, Mr. Malone served as chairman of the newly created BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association where he helped establish the Buy BVI Campaign to stimulate local spending in an effort to strengthen the Territory’s economy.
Mr. Malone’s academic qualifications include a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Business Administration from the Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York.
Established in 2002, the BVI London Office also serves as headquarters for official visits to the UK/European region and supports Virgin Islanders living and studying in Britain. The BVI London Office falls under the management of the Premier’s Office.
British Virgin Islands News