Overseas - Dods Monitoring

Parliament’s Magazine 

Guide to 

The 

Overseas 

Territories 

of the 

Caribbean 

QUO 

FA 

T A 

F 

U 

E R 

N 

T 

QUO 

FA 

T A 

F 

U 

E R 

N 

T 

QUO 

FA 

T A 

F 

U 

E R 

N 

T 

QUO 

FA 

T A 

F 

U 

E R 

Anguilla 

QUO 

British Virgin 

Islands 

FA 

T A 

F 

U 

E R 

N 

T 

Cayman Islands Montserrat Turks and Caicos 

Islands 

In association with

foreword 

The new array of flags 

that have been flying in 

Parliament Square are 

one of the first public displays 

of the United Kingdom’s 

Overseas Territories, and it has 

taken much effort on the part of the Foreign 

and Commonwealth Office to achieve this 

subtle gesture of unity. In the corner of many 

of the flags is a Union Jack reflecting the close 

accord that remains between the UK and the 

16 Overseas Territories that exist today. Of 

the 16, five lie in the Caribbean. It is here 

that the West India Committee, the only UK 

charity solely dedicated to the region, has 

conducted its affairs for over 278 years in 

pursuit of an increase in the general welfare 

of the peoples of the region. This is sought 

through the auspices of education, training, 

advice and advocacy to promote agriculture, 

manufacturing, trade and industry in and 

with the Caribbean giving opportunities for 

the growth of the UK economy in tandem 

with those of its Overseas Territories. To that 

avail the West India Committee and Cable & 

Wireless have sponsored this supplement. 

The Rt Hon. the Lord Aschcroft of Chichester, 

KCMG, PC. President of the West India Committee 

november 2013 | THE HOUSE MAGAZINE | 3

Improving 

healthcare for 

everyone 

People in hospital must get the best 

care possible. For that to happen, 

medical professionals need accurate, 

accessible information about every 

patient. That’s why we’re helping 

hospitals in Panama to adopt digital 

records. 

The move away from paper notes is 

just part of this project which looks 

after every aspect of a patient’s 

treatment, from the moment they are 

admitted to hospital. It also gives 

managers the tools they need to run 

their hospital more efficiently, 

including detailed performance 

metrics. 

The result: patients get better care, 

and the government gets a more 

cost-effective health service. 

This is just one example of how we 

deliver social telecoms, where we 

take responsibility for every part 

of the delivery of a public service 

improvement project – from 

infrastructure to people. But along 

the way we train state employees, 

so they can take over when our 

work is done. 

It’s proved a successful model – the 

public and private sectors working 

together to provide excellent, 

value-for-money services.

The House Supplement November 2013 

www.politicshome.com 

editorial@housemag.co.uk 

DODS PARLIAMENTARY EDITOR- 

IN-CHIEF 

Paul Waugh 

CONTENT EDITOR 

Jessica Bowie 

POLITICAL REPORTER 

Daniel Bond 

PARLIAMENTARY EDITOR 

Tony Grew 

COMMISSIONING AND SPECIAL 

PROJECTS EDITOR 

Sally Dawson 

HEAD OF PRODUCTION 

John Levers 

DESIGN 

Charlotte O’Neill 

Matt Titley 

Max Dubiel 

ADVERTISING 

Danny Wright 

Dominic Slonecki 

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER 

Adam Kinlan 

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION £195 

TWO-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION £351 

The House Magazine is published by Dods 

21 Dartmouth Street, London, SW1H 9BP 

The House Magazine is printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing 

Company using only paper from FSC/PEFC suppliers. www.magprint. 

co.uk 

The publisher and editor are most grateful to the Clerk of the Parliaments, 

the Clerk of the House and other senior offi cers of both Houses 

for the support and advice they readily give. 

ISSN 0309-0426 © Dods 

Reproduction in any form is prohibited without prior written consent. 

EDITOR Gisela Stuart MP 

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Graham Brady MP, 

Charles Kennedy MP, Austin Mitchell MP, 

Priti Patel MP, Jenny Willott MP 

LIFE PRESIDENT Lord Cormack 

Dods is widely respected for producing highly authoritative and 

independent political publications. Its policy is to accept advertisements 

representing many sides of a debate from a variety of organisations. 

Dods takes no political stance on the messages contained within 

advertisements but requires that all content is in strict accordance 

with the law. Dods reserves the right to refuse advertisements for good 

reason (for example if it is libellous, defamatory, pornographic, socially 

unacceptable, insensitive or otherwise contrary to editorial policy). 

CERTIFIED 

CIRCULATION: 2341 

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR 

Rob Ellis 

MANAGING DIRECTOR 

Shane Greer 

DODS CFO 

Keith Sadler 

DODS CHAIRMAN 

Alastair Gornall 

EDITORIAL 

editorial@housemag.co.uk 

Tel 020 7593 5665 

ADVERTISING 

housemagazinesales 

@dods.co.uk 

Tel 0207 593 5645 

SUBSCRIPTIONS 

Tel 020 8955 7007 

Dodssubs@alliance-media.co.uk 

Dods subs 

PO Box 2068 

Bushey 

Herts, WD23 3ZF 

Contents 

3 FOREWORD Lord Ashcroft 

6 ALL PARTY GROUP Andrew Rosindell MP 

10 FCO VIEW Mark Simmonds MP 

12 SHADOW FCO VIEW Ian Lucas MP 

14 UNESCO MEMBERSHIP Sally Dawson reports 

15 COMMONWEALTH STATUS Frank Field MP and 

Lord Howell of Guildford 

16 SHADOW DFID VIEW Gavin Shuker MP 

19 WEST INDIA COMMITTEE Blondel Cluff 

28 BUSINESS VIEW Tim Corrigan 

30 EDUCATION Lorna Bertrand 

32 UKTI Charmaine Wright and Hadford Howell 

34 INTERVIEW Christina Scott, Governor of Anguilla 

38 ANGUILLA Hubert Hughes, Chief Minister of 

Anguilla 

40 BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS Orlando Smith, 

Premier of the British Virgin Islands 

42 CAYMAN ISLANDS Alden McLaughlin, Premier 

of the Cayman Islands 

44 MONTSERRAT Reuben Meade, Premier of 

Montserrat 

46 TURKS & CAICOS Wesley Clerveaux, Permanent 

Secretary to the Offi ce of the Premier of TCI 

48 CONTACTS 

57 MAP 

The 16 British Overseas Territories (OTs) comprise: 

Anguilla*, 

Ascension Island, 

Bermuda, 

British Antarctic Territory, 

British Indian Ocean 

Territory, 

British Virgin Islands*, 

Cayman Islands*, 

Sovereign Base Areas of 

Akrotiri and Dhekelia, 

Falkland Islands, 

Gibraltar, 

Montserrat*, 

Pitcairn Island, 

St. Helena, 

Tristan da Cunha, 

South Georgia and the 

South Sandwich Islands, 

Turks and Caicos Islands*. 

(* The Caribbean Overseas 

Territories.) 

Facts about the individual OTs are sourced from the CIA World Factbook unless 

otherwise stated. 

Special thanks to John Thomas for kindly permitting The House magazine to 

reproduce his photographs of Anguilla 

NOVEMBER 2013 | THE HOUSE MAGAZINE | 5

all party group 

United 

westand 

The United Kingdom has a long, rich 

history with our 16 British Overseas 

Territories, a great number of which are 

located in and around the Caribbean, but also 

connect Britain to much of the wider world, 

providing us with an array of geographical 

strategic advantages that keep us ahead in 

a rapidly changing global society. A great 

example of this is the role the British Antarctic 

Territory has played in allowing British 

organisations such as the British Antarctic 

Survey to make an advanced contribution 

to scientific research in areas such as studies 

using ice coring and of climate change. Each 

territory, from the remotest community on 

earth in Tristan da Cunha to the heavily 

populated and enterprising Bermuda, has 

its own truly enthralling depth of character 

in its culture and heritage; an extraordinary 

set of diverse communities which gives each 

territory a fascinating uniqueness. However, 

one element that prevails consistently 

through the diversity in the British Overseas 

6 | THE HOUSE MAGAZINE | november 2013 

Andrew Rosindell celebrates 

the long rich history of 

Britain’s relationship with 

its diverse and innovative 

Overseas Territories 

Territories is their overwhelming desire 

to remain British and, most notably, their 

immense pride in being so. This sheer 

patriotism and love of Queen and Country is 

unwaveringly resonant across all the territories 

and I believe that a great deal can be learnt 

from this positive attitude towards Britain 

and its institutions, in parts of the United 

Kingdom itself. 

Many British Overseas Territories are 

experiencing vast growth and increasing 

diversity in their economies, such as through 

rapidly developing financial services sectors in 

Bermuda and Gibraltar. Whilst the on-going 

development of these services may fuel the 

popular misdiagnosis that British Overseas 

Territories are simply a ‘place in the sun’ or 

a ‘tax haven’, it is worth noting that these 

communities have a number of ‘real world’, 

day-to-day problems to contend with. For 

example, since July 1995 Montserrat has 

become increasingly dependent on the 

Department for International Development 

for economic sustainability, following the 

eruption of a volcano previously dormant 

for centuries. Despite how much of the 

southern island is still largely shut off and 

the former capital Plymouth remains buried, 

the will and determination of the people

Queen Elizabeth II greets leaders 

of the Overseas Territories at a 

Windsor Castle reception, 2010 

of Montserrat acts as an example to us all; 

a holistic drive for innovation has led to 

widespread drilling opportunities, making 

full use of the geothermal energy potential 

created by the volcanic devastation to produce 

electricity, reducing the necessity for costly 

imports of the commodity. I am proud 

that organisations, such as the West India 

Committee, are continuously and fervently 

looking to help develop the economies of 

Britain’s Overseas Territories, thus helping to 

create greater prosperity across the world or, 

in this particular case, in the West Indies. 

Moreover, there are often somewhat 

unobtrusive contributions made to Britain 

and to the world by the British Overseas 

Territories, regularly overlooked when 

attention falls singularly on tax and tourism. 

Gibraltar currently runs flagship operations 

in online gaming and is firmly on the map as 

an influential force in the progression of this 

industry; dark sky tourism in St. Helena is 

also a popular innovation – all of which cannot 

be ignored when assessing their input on the 

world stage. 

Over successive governments now, not 

least under the government of Margaret 

Thatcher of the 1980s, we have seen the 

self-governance extended from Britain to the 

Overseas Territories. Today, I am pleased to 

observe that the steadfast commitment of the 

current government in keeping the Overseas 

Territories British has been consistently 

resolute. I do believe however, in order to 

eradicate any doubt over sovereignty-related 

disputes and to consolidate the ‘Britishness’ of 

the territories, consideration should be given to 

creating a stronger constitutional bond between 

the United Kingdom and all of our Overseas 

Territories, securing their right to remain a 

cherished part of the great British family. 

Andrew Rosindell is Chair of the British Overseas 

Territories All Party Parliamentary Group 


Investing in the future of the Caribbean 

Few sectors move as fast as 

telecoms. New products and 

services are being rolled out all the 

time. New companies arrive and grow. 

Well-known names fade and disappear. So 

we at Cable and Wireless must be doing 

a great deal right to have been serving 

countries and customers in the Caribbean 

region for over 150 years – and to be 

stronger today than ever. 

As a company, we can trace our history 

back to the earliest days of the telegraph. 

Our commitment to this region began 

with the laying of the first cable from 

the UK to the Caribbean in the 1870s. 

We have been providing services to its 

citizens and governments ever since 

as telephones replaced the telegraph, 

mobile complimented fixed networks 

and internet services have changed the 

way people communicate. We pride 

ourselves on being a trusted partner 

with deep roots in the region. 

We are now the leading full service 

telecoms company in the Caribbean 

operating in 15 markets across the 

region from The Bahamas to Grenada. 

We have gained this position through 

continued innovation, and providing 

customers with value for money 

services. We have built a trust with 

consumers and governments through 

years of reliable service. But we are 

not complacent. Consumer needs keep 

evolving and we are innovating and 

investing to meet them.

We are building fixed-line fibre networks 

in Barbados and Cayman and up-dating 

them in other markets to support new 

broadband and pay TV services. In mobile 

we are introducing the best technology 

by installing LTE networks in Cayman and 

the Bahamas by the end of 2013 and we 

are looking to upgrade mobile networks 

across the region to support them. 

“We have gained this position 

through continued innovation, 

and providing customers with 

value for money services. We 

have built a trust with consumers 

and governments through years 

of reliable service.” 

cannot be achieved by the private sector 

alone. We value the partnerships we have 

with governments across the region. 

Governments are also playing a crucial 

role in creating the conditions where 

long-term investment can be made to 

the benefit of their citizens. This requires 

sensible regulation, fair and transparent 

competition and sound economic policies. 

With these increasingly in place across the 

Caribbean, we are as excited about the 

future as we are proud of our past. 

Over the last five years, we have 

invested more than US$750 million in 

the region to improve what we can 

offer to our customers. But meeting 

the communication needs of modern 

economies and consumers, of course, 

www.cwc.com

fco view 

An 

enduring 

relationship 


This month’s Joint Ministerial 

Council will focus on the 

growth agenda so vital to the 

UK and its Overseas Territories, 

writes Mark Simmonds 

Over a year into my role as Minister for 

the Overseas Territories, it’s clear to me 

that our work to reinvigorate the UK’s 

partnership with the Territories is paying 

dividends. 

I know that parliamentarians will share 

my pride that we now fly the flags of each 

Territory atop the Foreign Office on their 

respective National Day; as well as flying 

all the flags in Parliament Square on state 

occasions. This is an important recognition 

of their role in our life and history. I also 

welcome the work that Members, particularly 

the UK Overseas Territories All-Party 

Parliamentary Group, conduct in fostering 

stronger links. 

I look forward to inviting Members to meet 

political leaders from the Overseas Territories 

when they gather in London for this year’s 

Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council 

(JMC) which I will be hosting on 26 - 27 

November. The JMC is the clearest sign of 

the spirit of partnership in which the UK 

and the Territories work. It is the principle 

forum for reviewing and implementing our 

shared strategy for promoting the security and 

good governance of the Territories and their 

sustainable economic and social development. 

This year we will focus on the jobs and growth 

agenda that is so important for the UK and 

Territories. 

Much has been achieved since the inaugural 

JMC in 2012.This year I will look to agree an 

ambitious programme of work for 2014 which 

will cover issues of tax and transparency, 

economic diversification, employment and 

education, green energy and the environment, 

security, governance and the Territories’ links 

with the wider world. 

The Overseas Territories have responded 

positively and speedily on our G8 tax 

and transparency agenda by committing 

to join a pilot multilateral automatic tax 

information exchange, publishing Action 

Plans on Beneficial Ownership and joining 

the Multilateral Convention on Mutual 

Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters.

As the Prime Minister said in September, 

‘the Overseas Territories can no longer be 

considered tax havens’. We want to build on 

this and maintain support for territory based 

financial centres, which play an important role 

in supporting international economic growth 

and tackling poverty. 

Alongside the JMC there will be a business 

event showcasing the trade and investment 

possibilities across the Territories. We are 

committed to helping build sustainable 

economies, create jobs and drive prosperity. 

The unique natural environments of the 

Overseas Territories account for around 

90% of the total biodiversity of the UK and 

We are committed to 

helping build sustainable 

economies, create jobs and 

drive prosperity 

Territories combined. They are home to 

rare species and some of the most precious 

environmental assets in the world. These 

environments must be cherished but also 

must benefit the Territories. At the JMC we 

aim to ensure the sustainable and strategic 

management of the Territories’ natural 

environments and discuss how they can make 

use of them for tourism and fishing; as well 

as harnessing their potentially vast renewable 

energy resources. 

We will regularly report on progress to 

Parliament about our relationship with 

the Overseas Territories, as the UK and 

Territories help one another to meet the 

challenges of the 21st century. 

Mark Simmonds is Parliamentary Under-Secretary 

of State at the FCO, with responsibilities for the 

Overseas Territories 


fco shadow 

One year on from last year’s 

Overseas Territories Joint 

Ministerial Council, Ian 

Lucas reflects on the UK 

Government’s lack of vision 

A 

full year has passed since the 2012 

Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial 

Council meeting, and in that time, 

much has happened in the world. 

Not least, in June, the UK hosted the 

G8 summit. Taxation and transparency 

dominated the agenda, and as a result, some 

of the international spotlight focussed on the 

Overseas Territories. Financial transparency 

was rightly a central focus of G8, and now the 

majority of the Overseas Territories, including 

those in the Caribbean, have published 

action plans on how they will achieve tax 

transparency. The debate as to whether these 

plans are robust enough continues. 

However, one year on from the 2012 

meeting, one crucial fact remains unchanged. 

The Government have still not put forward 

a framework within which the partnerships 

between the UK and Overseas Territories 

can flourish. Published in June 2012, the 

Government’s White Paper intended to guide 

this process was warm yet vague in words, 

and remarkably light on specifics. The paper 

ultimately failed to put forward a vision, or 

even explain the Government’s aspirations, 

for future relations and priorities between the 

UK and the Territories. 

The Caribbean Overseas Territories are all 

diverse and unique. Yet they share common 

challenges, including economic ones. Whilst 

some of the Territories have middle income 

status, many areas experience extreme 

poverty. The need of the Overseas Territories 

to diversify their economies is pivotal. 

The Caribbean Islands have been actively 

12 | THE HOUSE MAGAZINE | November 2013 

seeking to rely on tourism as their main source 

of income. As a result, since the economic 

downturn they are suffering. For example, 

Anguilla has experienced a drop in growth in 

2012 of -2.61%. 

the highest rate of air 

passenger duty in the 

world has not helped to 

encourage tourists 

Certainly, the fact that the UK has the 

highest rate of air passenger duty in the world, 

and the confusing UK Government policy on 

this issue, has not helped to encourage tourists 

from the UK to the region. 

The Caribbean Territories have been active 

in their search for alternatives to tourism. 

Anguilla has been experimenting with

Time 

for 

territorial 

ambition 

developing a fishing strategy that would clear 

the waters north of the Island to establish 

a conservatory area for local fisherman. 

Montserrat has been investing in renewable 

energy. The UK needs to set out clearly 

how they intend to support these and future 

initiatives, such as energy policy for the 

Overseas Territories. Good environmental 

governance is also key if the people of the 

Overseas Territories are to benefit long term 

from their natural environment, and the UK 

Government must ensure that such issues play 

a significant role at this year’s council meeting. 

The creation of the Jubilee Fund, has, in 

some instances, helped to develop public 

services in the territories, but huge many 

challenges remain. To address these challenges, 

a more holistic approach is required, and 

more cross-departmental coordination must 

take place, including between FCO, DfID, 

Treasury, BIS, and DECC. 

It is essential that the UK puts pressure on the 

Overseas Territories to make themselves more 

financially transparent, and democratically 

accountable. However, just as crucial is the 

need for the UK Government to understand the 

economic and environmental concerns of the 

Overseas Territories, and to work together with 

them to address these concerns. 

Hopefully, by the 2014 summit, the UK 

Government will be more ambitious in its 

vision for the Overseas Territories. After all, 

thriving, sustainable economies offer more 

opportunities for trade, learning and cultural 

exchange. Seizing those opportunities is in the 

best interests of both the UK and the Overseas 

Territories themselves 

Ian Lucas is Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, 

with responsibility for Overseas Territories 

November 2013 | THE HOUSE MAGAZINE | 13

UNESCO 

Homage 

to 

heritage 

A coup for Anguilla as it secures an 

auspicious UNESCO membership, 

reports Sally Dawson 

UK Ambassador to 

UNESCO, Matthew Sudders 

Cyril Bailleul 

Anguilla has this month become 

only the second British Overseas 

Territory to be given Associate 

membership of UNESCO, along 

with the British Virgin Islands. 

Studies have shown that membership 

of UNESCO confers potentially lucrative 

economic benefits. 

Several Heads of State and some 150 

ministers and delegates from all 195 

UNESCO Members had gathered in Paris 

earlier in November for the organisation’s 15- 

day General Conference. 

Whilst unable to vote, Associate members 

enjoy the full support of UNESCO and the 

UK Ambassador to UNESCO – along with 

recognition that the position of Associate 

members will continue to evolve. 

Matthew Sudders, UK Ambassador 

to UNESCO, said he was “delighted” to 

welcome Anguilla to the UNESCO family. 

“A recent study shows that the economic 

benefit of UNESCO membership for the 

UK is approximately £95m a year. We look 

forward to Anguilla sharing this benefit,” 

he said. 

14 | THE HOUSE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013

Anguillan UNESCO delegation: 

Blondel Cluff (left) and 

Jasmin Garraway of the 

Project Management Unit, 

Ministry of Finance Economic 

Development Investment 

Commerce and Tourism 

Although Britain’s Overseas Territories cannot 

enjoy full membership of the Commonwealth, 

Lord Howell and Frank Field call for greater 

recognition for the territories 

Cyril Bailleul Cyril Bailleul 

We are at point where the Commonwealth 

will either fold or carve out a new life for itself. Part 

of that new life must be around the smaller 

territories. Nothing in this life is simple, but they are 

an enormous asset to the Commonwealth. Following 

this month’s Sri Lankan summit, the Commonwealth 

must react with generosity and drive an agenda to 

explore what new relationship could best advance 

these Overseas Territories’ interests – both to the OTs 

advantage and the rest of the Commonwealth also. 

The aim must be to report to the next 

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Part 

of that new relationship must be to seek direct 

representation for them in both Europe and the 

British Parliament. 

Frank Field MP 

It is completely understandable that 

Britain’s Overseas Territories should wish to play a 

stronger part in the councils of the Commonwealth. 

Although they clearly cannot be full members, every 

possible encouragement should be given to their full 

participation in all Commonwealth agencies. This 

applies in particular to Commonwealth bodies which 

promote development, better energy sources and 

investment of all forms. 

Lord Howell of Guildford 


DFID SHADOW 

Vision 

critical 

The Department for International 

Development’s (DfID’s) work in the 

Caribbean has become an increasingly 

interesting aspect of their agenda. DfID funds 

Overseas Territories with the vision of self 

sustainability - empowering the people of 

those islands to step up through development. 

Five of the 16 British Overseas Territories 

(OTs) are in the Caribbean: Anguilla, British 

Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, 

and the Turks and Caicos Islands – reflecting 

16 | THE HOUSE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2013 

DfID’s work could empower 

the Overseas Territories, but 

money is being wasted due 

to poor project management, 

says Gavin Shuker MP 

our unique bond with this part of the world. I 

have been clear: UK’s ongoing investment and 

support in OTs is essential. 

Last year’s Foreign and Commonwealth 

Office White Paper on the OTs, ‘Security, 

Success and Sustainability’ paints a picture 

of a government committed to being as 

ambitious for our Territories as they are 

for the United Kingdom. However, recent 

criticism of DfID’s project execution, crossdepartmental 

working and management has 

called into question their ability to deliver on 

this vision. 

DfID money must be spent managing 

projects wisely. The British taxpayer - and 

those we owe a duty of care to in the OTs - 

would expect nothing less. If these projects

of the construction Montserrat’s John A. 

Osborne Airport. In ICAI’s words: 

“DFID makes decisions on individual 

business cases for capital investment 

proposals on a piecemeal basis… The benefits 

of developing a new airport may not have 

justified the investment.” 

While we remain committed to the 

investment that now enables Montserrat’s 

population to more easily access the island, 

this lack of clarity on an overarching vision for 

Money will be 

wasted which otherwise 

would have gone to help 

the OTs thrive 

Plymouth, the former capital of 

Montserrat, lies buried beneath 

volcanic ash: three out of fi ve 

categories of DfID’s work on the island 

were rated as ‘relatively poor’ for 

value for money and effectiveness 

are not, Territories will find it even harder 

to narrow their recurring deficits; remaining 

heavily dependent on UK aid. 

The Independent Commission for Aid 

Impact (ICAI), the independent body 

responsible for scrutinising UK aid, has taken 

a look at a number of recent DfID sponsored 

projects in the Caribbean, with some 

concerning findings. 

In Montserrat, ICAI identified three out of 

five categories of DfID’s work to be Amber/ 

Red, meaning the programme performs 

relatively poorly overall against ICAI’s criteria 

for effectiveness and value for money. 

In fairness to this government, it was 

critical of DfID’s work during Labour’s time 

in government too - not least of all in the case 

the Territory perhaps points at how difficult 

it is to get the Department to focus on its role 

in the OTs, given the inevitable scrutiny of 

larger projects in the developing world. 

We hope that the lessons of that project will 

have been learned as focus shifts to St Helena. 

Accessible only by ship at the moment, it 

takes 14 days from the UK or two days from 

Ascension Island. 

Saint Helena Airport will be a landmark 

project therefore, and DfID need to make 

sure projects are carried out efficiently with 

expectations of the Islanders being well 

managed. 

DfID need to be more effective in working 

both across government departments and 

delivering projects with multilaterals and local 

governance in the Territories. Without this, 

money will be wasted which otherwise would 

have gone to help the OTs thrive. 

Gavin Shuker is Shadow Minister for 

International Development 


MAKING YOUR PUBLIC 

SERVICE THE BEST 

Public services that continually modernize and develop become world 

leaders. Westminster Explained is a global learning and development 

provider, improving efficiency and effectiveness in government. 

Our reputation as a leading partner to the UK Civil Service and for 

creating real world change is based on: 

• Our position as preferred supplier of all Policy, Formal Written 

Communication and Understanding the EU training to UK 

Central Government 

• Our unrivalled 180-year relationship with UK Parliament and 

Government through Dods 

• Our flexible London-based core team and network of over 

250 expert associate trainers 

Our programmes are practical, interactive and tailored to your needs. 

We successfully deliver programmes in-country and delegation visits 

to the UK on a broad range of issues and offer programmes around 

areas such as: 

• Good governance and anti-corruption 

• Excellence in parliament, central and local government 

and the civil service 

• Policy development and implementation 

• Working with the European Union 

• Written Communications, negotiation and diplomacy 

WESTMINSTER EXPLAINED 

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING SERVICES 

tom.brown@westminster-explained.com | +44 (0) 20 7593 5753 

www.westminster-explained.com

From its early origins, to its 

work advocating sustainable 

trade, Blondel Cluff outlines 

the aims and achievements of 

the West India Committee 

Founded in the City of London in 1735, 

the West India Committee is (WIC) 

the oldest body representative of the 

Commonwealth. This venerable Caribbean 

institution commenced life as a trade 

association during the era of slavery. Its 

initial interests were aligned with those of the 

sugar merchants of London and planters of 

the Caribbean, two opposing groups forced 

together by the prevailing political unrest in 

America upon which they were dependent 

for supplies and regional commerce. After 

securing compensation for its members 

the West India Committee and the British 

Government commenced the campaign to end 

slavery throughout the world, thereby creating 

a level playing field for international trade. 

Initiatives such as the policing of the African 

coastline by the Royal Navy and the offer of 

asylum to slaves from Spanish and Portuguese 

territories illustrate the extent to which the 

Committee pursued this cause. 

west india committee 

Diaspora, 

anddiplomacy 

development 


Mutiny On The Bounty 

In 1787 the West India Committee 

commissioned the remarkable Captain Bligh 

to undertake an expedition to the Pacific 

in order to introduce new food sources to 

the Caribbean. The mission resulted in the 

mutiny made famous by Hollywood’s Charles 

Laughton and latterly Marlon Brando. The 

Breadfruit, Mango and Akee (Jamaica’s 

national fruit) were all introduced to the 

Caribbean and St. Helena by the expedition, 

whilst the Pitcairns were inhabited by the 

mutineers, including Fletcher Christian whose 

descendants remain there today. Meanwhile 

Bligh found time during his epic 3,600 mile 

voyage to ‘discover’ and map all 39 islands of 

Fiji whilst cast adrift in an open boat. 


Founding The Police 

In 1798 the West India Committee founded 

the first constabulary in the world, the 

Thames Police. Still an active force today, 

their boats continue to patrol the London 

reaches of the river, operating out of Wapping, 

the world’s first Police station. West Indians 

ran, staffed and funded the force, with 

various accounts of their bravery and the 

valuable contribution to the safety of London 

bearing testimony to the importance of this 

new institution. In 1839 it merged with the 

subsequently formed ‘Peelers’, creating the 

Metropolitan Police. Sadly, this important 

contribution made by West Indians and the 

WIC is long forgotten and has yet to be used 

to improve relations between the police and

world and a testament to British engineering. 

It is now home to the Museum of London, 

Docklands. 

The City 

The West India Committee was active in 

British politics, at one time boasting over 45 

Members of Parliament in its membership. 

Senior members of the Committee also 

worked closely with the City of London 

and its liveries on many levels, including 

the Jamaican, Sir William Beckford, twice 

Lord Mayor of London, whose monument 

in the Guildhall (that includes a life size 

allegory of the Caribbean resting at his feet), 

is found beside that of his colleagues and 

the community. 

London’s First Purpose Built Dock 

The Committee founded the West India Dock 

Company that established London’s first 

purpose built dock, West India Quay, opened 

by William Pitt in 1802. At one mile in 

length, it was the largest brick building in the 

West India Quay 

A police boat on the Thames at Chiswick 

Bridge: when the West India Committee 

founded the fi rst constabulary in the world, 

the Thames Police, in 1798, the force was 

ran, staffed and funded by West Indians 

Fletcher Christian’s 

descendants are still living 

on the Pitcairns today 

contemporaries William Pitt the Elder and 

his son. Beeston Long, Governor of the Bank 

of England and Alderman George Hibbert, 

Chairman of the West India Dock Company, 

were both former Chairmen of the West India 

Committee, and were founder patrons of the 

London Institute. Other chairmen include 

Viscount Lascelles and Sir Sonny Ramphal, 

Secretary General of the Commonwealth 

Secretariat. 

The Royal Charter 

Throughout its existence the Committee has 

provided for the welfare of the Caribbean 

and its peoples and in 1904 was granted a 

Royal Charter by Edward VII in recognition 

of the importance of this work. The Royal 

family were particularly active in supporting 

the charity, Queen Mary and her daughter 

Viscountess Lascelles personally presiding 


over West India Committee knitting circles 

organized to provide warm clothing for the 

16,000 West Indian Soldiers who fought in 

the Great War, and later the 9,000 men and 

200 West Indian women who took part in the 

Second World War on behalf of the ‘Mother 

Country’, Britain. 

Disaster Relief 

Since the 18th century, disaster relief funds 

have been raised by the charity to address 

the annual hurricane seasons that often 

devastate the region. In the 1940s and 50s 

film and theatre nights were organized with 

contributors such as Noel Coward and Danny 

Kaye who together with much of Fleet Street 

joined Princess Margaret at one time raising 

over a quarter of a million pounds for the West 

India Committee’s disaster relief programmes. 

The West India Committee Charitable 

Objective 

The West India Committee maintains its 

original objective of promoting agriculture 

manufacturing, trade and industry in the 

Caribbean, Belize and Guyana. It operates 

through the auspices of education, training, 

advice and advocacy, where necessary acting 

as an umbrella organization. Our overriding 

objective is to improve the general welfare 

of the peoples of the region through selfsustainable 

improvement. In short, we favour 

trade over aid. 

A Case Of Mistaken Identity 

During its long history various groups and 

companies have been hived off the charity, 

including most recently the Caribbean 

Council, which – unlike the charity – is a 

commercial entity. Sadly this has resulted in a 

degree of mistaken identity and has hindered 

the work of this discreet, hardworking charity. 


CASE STUDY 

The Museum of London is recognised as one of 

the leading urban museums in the world. The 

museum tells the story of London from 450,000 

BC to the present day, both using and nurturing 

the creative talents and professionalism of its 

diverse team of employees and volunteers. 

Partly housed in West India Quay, the Museum 

of London tells the story of world trade, and 

has advised museums in Qatar, Russia, Korea. 

It works closely with the West India Committee 

in the Caribbean in the field of cultural and 

heritage tourism. The West India Committee also 

enjoys the use of the Quayside Room: www. 

museumoflondon.org.uk 

The West India Committee is apolitical, 

and the only Not for Profit, NGO with UK 

charitable status acting in the Caribbean and 

amongst its global diaspora. 

How The West India Committee Operates 

Today 

As a UK charity, our initiatives naturally 

lie within the sphere of innovation, 

social responsibility and environmental 

sustainability that is the essence of British 

commerce today. We see our role as a catalyst, 

having first assessed, advised and introduced 

compatible entities that have the potential 

to achieve mutually beneficial growth. 

This model is viable for all of the Overseas 

Territories, each of which faces unique social, 

economic and environmental challenges 

magnified within the confines of their small 

economies. 

Our initiatives often expose vast, unexplored 

potential for UK trade and industry, much 

of which is currently being absorbed by 

competitors such as China, who do not share 

the same objectives for this strategically

Prince Harry with Usain Bolt, at the University 

of the West Indies, Jamaica: the West India 

Committee were subsequently commended by 

Her Majesty for orchestrating one of the most 

successful Royal Tours in history, writes Cluff 

important region – a portal to the Americas. 

Our work includes health, education, defence, 

and communication, and creates opportunities 

for governments, large corporations and 

SME’s, as part of our ‘sustainable trade not 

aid’ philosophy. 

The Diaspora 

The West India Committee is also actively 

mobilising the vast UK and global diasporas of 

the region to participate in the diversification 

and growth of their respective countries’ 

economies. We embrace the diaspora through 

education, training and mentoring, supporting 

young people and students at universities such 

as Oxford, Cardiff, Warwick, King’s College, 

London, the University of the West Indies and 

Anglia Ruskin. Our catchment is not, however, 

restricted to West Indians, but includes anyone 

or entity that may benefit the region directly 


or indirectly. Similarly our membership may 

extend to countries outside the region with 

whom we may aggregate our efforts. 

The UK Taxpayer 

The Committee’s strategies are designed to 

provide more value for the UK taxpayers who 

‘foot the bill’ of our government’s initiatives 

and aid programmes. Ultimately we seek to 

reduce the region’s dependency upon aid by 

nurturing sustainable growth. Aggregation of 

projects, as recommended by Mark Simmonds 

during the Joint Ministerial Council of 

2012, also enhances the potential yield of the 

charity’s work much of which is transposable 

to Overseas Territories and countries outside 

the Caribbean. 

We seek to reduce aid 

dependency by nurturing 

sustainable growth 

Public Diplomats 

The West India Committee has always been 

regarded as the Public Diplomatic Service 

of the Caribbean, enhancing the mutual 

understanding between the UK and the 

governments and institutions of the region. 

In addition, the Committee enhances the 

capacity of the diplomatic services of the 

region. During the Diamond Jubilee of 2012, 

the West India Committee orchestrated the 

Caribbean tours of Princes Edward and Harry, 

advising the Royal Household, Anguillan, 

Montserratian and Jamaican Governments. 

Having successfully lobbied for Prince 

Harry’s attendance we were commended by 

Her Majesty for one of the most successful 

Royal Tours in history and our envoy 

awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal for the 


Blondel Cluff, CEO of the 

West India Committee 

CASE STUDY 

Ashden is a UK charity and global champion 

that promotes practical, local energy solutions 

that cut carbon, protect the environment, 

reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. 

It supports some of the most innovative UK 

SMEs in pursuit of global outreach. The charity 

also provides tailored follow-up support 

to its winners to help expand and promote 

their work and increase their impact. This 

includes business support, technical advice 

and help with accessing vital fi nance, as well 

as giving winners a voice with the media and 

policymakers: www.ashdentrust.org.uk

Caribbean Realms. The Committee continues 

to represent countries in various capacities, 

providing a cost effective alternative to a full 

diplomatic corp. 

Our Resources 

With records spanning 500 years, the West 

India Committee often resorts to tried 

and tested means to achieve its objective, 

thereby further enhancing the value of its 

output. The Committee’s small core team 

is based in Westminster at the heart of 

British Government, and maintains an active 

watching brief on matters concerning the 

region and its various members continuing 

to publish information in the West India 

Committee Circular, first introduced in the 

1830s. 

The West India Committee As A Conduit For 

Funding 

As a UK registered charity the West India 

Committee is eligible to act as a conduit 

for various initiatives within the Overseas 

Territories that may not be funded directly 

by foundations and charities such as the 

National, or Heritage Lottery. Similarly 

in the Commonwealth and the EU where 

such countries have not, as yet, attained 

comprehensive recognition, the charity has 

been invited to explore how it may improve 

interaction with the countries in question. 


Funding The West India Committee 

The charity is a membership organization, 

with members that include governments, 

institutions, fellow charities, corporation 

and individuals each of whom we support 

on a charitable basis. These include Cable 

& Wireless, Google, Kier Construction, 

Definitive Caribbean, the Museum of 

London, Skillsforce, St Andrews Youth Club, 

the British Army, the Jamaican Defence Force 

and the Thames Police. New members include 

Urban Space Management Limited, Ashden, 

Sandals and Cardiff University where we 

have just launched our first scholarship in 

International Development and Planning. 

Help 

With almost 100% of our resources going 

to frontline service delivery, it is essential 

that the charity secures sustainable financial 

support to enable it to deliver its much 

needed, unique services to Government. 

We therefore invite your support for and 

participation in our work. For further 

information on the West India Committee 

and how to join and support the charity please 

refer to: www.westindiacommittee.org 

CASE STUDY 

Urban Space Management is the award winning 

mastermind of Container City®, a fast, innovative 

and highly versatile construction system that 

reuses shipping containers to provide high 

strength, prefabricated steel modules that may 

be combined to create a wide variety of building 

shapes. These are adaptable to a myriad of public 

and private sector uses such as classrooms, 

office space, live/work space and clinics in an 

environmentally friendly and economical way. 

Responsible for the Communications Centre of 

the 2012 Olympics – and the science labs for the 

recent Polar expedition by Sir Ralph Fiennes – this 

firm illustrates British innovation at its extreme 

and best: www.urbanspace.com 

Blondel Cluff is the Chief Executive 

of the West India Committee (WIC) 

CASE STUDY 

Definitive World Guides Limited is an award winning UK company trading under the ‘Definitive’ brand name. 

It is one of the leading providers of travel guides and information centred on the Caribbean, its business 

and people, and is a trusted information provider of choice. Comprising a fully comprehensive website and 

series of award winning e-books, Duncan Moss, 

the head of Definitive now hopes to integrate 

his products with that of regional tourist boards, 

enabling the region to capitalise on innovations in 

both the travel and technology industries: 

www.definitivecaribbean.com 

The Definitive 

Caribbean Guides 

26 | THE HOUSE MAGAZINE | november 2013

Dods Parliamentary 

Companion 2014 

www.dodsshop.co.uk 

The 2014 edition includes 

comprehensive information on: 

• The recent Government reshuffle, including all cabinet 

and ministerial appointments, and Labour’s reshuffle 

• MPs’ and Peers’ biographical and contact information – 

including new MPs from the 9 by-elections since the last 

edition, and 43 newly-appointed Peers 

• Extensive analysis of MPs and Peers including breakdowns 

by gender, age and party 

• Expanded sections on MPs and Peers political interests 

and countries of interest 

• In-depth 2010 general election results 

• Enhanced sections on Members of the Scottish 

Parliament, Northern Ireland Assembly and the National 

Assembly for Wales, as well as contact information on 

Members of the European Parliament. 

Order your 

copy today for 

£325 

Dods Parliamentary Companion 

remains a chief source of information 

about Westminster and Whitehall. 

More than just a parliamentary handbook, 

Dods Parliamentary Companion has 

become an institution itself. 

Ed Miliband 

Leader, Labour Party, Leader of the Opposition 

Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP 

Deputy Prime Minister 

order@dods.co.uk

usiness view 

Constructive 

thinking 


Tim Corrigan outlines how 

the UK Government could 

assist UK business, satisfy 

development targets and 

strengthen strategic alliances 

Some would argue that the UK is losing 

its way with the various independent 

island nations in the Caribbean where 

there are still strong cultural links but the 

economic and political influence is simply 

diminishing rapidly. This situation should be 

addressed as it fails to realise the vast potential 

for mutually beneficial, sustainable growth 

that exists within this historic relationship. 

The UK is an industrialised, trading nation 

with a 400-year legacy throughout the 

Caribbean, many of whose Diaspora reside in 

the UK, and with a published intent to assist 

in the development of nations less fortunate 

than ourselves. 

We recognise a real opportunity to reverse 

the decrease in political and economic activity 

between the UK and the region by addressing 

some of the absolute social necessities of life. 

We can focus on where they are absent and 

put in place a programme of public sector 

work that satisfies basic social needs under 

the umbrella of UK development. This can be 

done using the private sector to deliver in the 

guise of public/private partnerships. 

The suggestion is simple: use the UK 

Government to guarantee the repayment of 

recipient Government borrowing and leave 

the UK private sector to do the rest. At the 

moment UK Export Finance is available for 

those countries in the Caribbean that have 

strong enough economies to suit the risk 

profile set by the UK Government. These 

are the very countries that can raise funding 

from the financial markets themselves, whilst 

those nations who really need help are left 

without support from the UK that could 

generate opportunities for UK trade and 

industry. Unsurprisingly such countries are 

turning more frequently to China, and these 

obvious opportunities for mutually beneficial 

our market share is 

diminishing in favour of 

competitors such as the 

Chinese 

growth in an ethical, sustainable manner are 

being lost to the UK. The current use of UK 

Export Finance fits the requirements set for 

it as it assists UK companies in their efforts 

to export. We suggest, however that some of 

the UK’s substantial aid budget is set aside 

to support such relationships as the next step 

towards self-sustainable development in 

areas of real public need or “development” 

as defined by say DFID or the FCO. A UK 

private company could then provide a solution 

in a cost effective and financially manageable

Baha Mar resort, Bahamas 2011: 

offi cials pose as construction 

work starts on the $3.4bn dollar 

resort, fi nanced and largely built 

by China. The resort is the largest 

project of its kind in the Caribbean 

model, in the confidence of knowing that the 

UK would ensure these financial arrangements 

are ultimately honoured by the regional 

countries. The private company would be 

better placed to find financing on favourable 

terms for these much needed projects by 

having the UK Government’s involvement. 

The UK economy will benefit from the 

increase in goods and services exported by 

UK companies as a result, whilst the regional 

government could deliver high quality public 

infrastructure at a price it can afford to repay. 

The UK would gain kudos in the region, 

increased economic activity and growth all 

at no cost to the taxpayer. There is the risk, 

of course, that circumstance may arise such 

that the recipient Government are unable 

to pay back – and this is where the FCO, 

DfID, UKTI and BIS need to agree where 

the priorities lie and accept that there may 

be some instances where the UK will need to 

accept that some amounts will not repaid. The 

question is whether this is more favourable 

than continued, expensive aid programmes. 

A case in question is the proposed new 

prison in Jamaica where both the UK and 

Jamaican governments can, on the face of it, 

benefit from the timely completion of such 

a project. UK companies have the capability 

and will to provide a solution to this public 

sector problem but require a suitable UK 

government guarantee for the repayment 

stream. The provision of such a guarantee 

provides scope for the UK Government to not 

only benefit by increasing foreign trade but 

also benefit from the goodwill of the Jamaican 

Government and all that that may bring in 

terms of reciprocal arrangements for prisoner 

transfers. Sadly, in the absence of such UK 

innovation in the field of government finance, 

it is almost certain that our market share shall 

further diminish in favour of competitors 

such as the Chinese who continue to provide 

finance and will, no doubt, eventually build 

this prison. 

Tim Corrigan is Managing Director for the Caribbean 

and Middle East at Kier Construction 


education 

Learning 

without borders 

Lorna Bertrand talks about the 

work the Department of Education 

undertakes in partnership with 

the Overseas Territories 

No man is an island/Entire of 

itself, according to the poet, 

and while many of the British 

Overseas Territories are, indeed, 

islands, this sentiment sums up 

the spirit of co-operation and mutual learning 

being fostered between the Territories and the 

Department for Education (DfE) in London. 

While all of the Territories operate their 

own unique education systems, focused on 

the needs of their own communities, there is 

an acute need for us all to look outwards at 

what others are doing well and to benchmark 

ourselves against the most successful 

education systems in the world. 

Since the publication of last year’s ‘Security, 

success and sustainability’ white paper, 


DfE has worked with a number of Overseas 

Territories, offering advice, policy exchange 

and opportunities for work shadowing and 

training. 

For example, in July, the Hon. Ronnie 

W. Skelton, the British Virgin Islands’ 

Minister for Health and Social Development, 

had discussions with the DfE Director of 

Safeguarding about approaches to child 

protection, with a view to strengthening 

capacity to care for vulnerable families. 

BVI education officials also made their way 

to DfE to learn about Special Educational 

Needs (SEN) provision in England and 

continue to be in touch with the DfE team 

who are continuing to provide advice and 

guidance on the latest thinking on SEN. 

Attachments to Government Departments 

can offer real insights into the nuts-and-bolts 

of policy making and implementation, as 

well the opportunity to see at first-hand how 

government works and the relationship with 

Ministers and with Parliament. DfE hosted 

Turks and Caicos’s Director of Education, 

Edgar Howells for a few weeks last year and 

put together a programme of meetings with 

Ministers, visits to schools and a couple of 

weeks embedded in a policy team. 

Territories can also follow the lead of 

Tristan da Cunha and take advantage of 

training and networking opportunities on 

offer through the International Business 

Unit at the National College of Teaching and 

Learning, an agency of DfE. 

Specifically the National College is able 

to offer free membership of the National 

College – a saving of £140 per person per 

year. Membership offers access to world-class 

school leadership development, including: 

• networking opportunities to connect and 

collaborate with other leaders 

• free member courses and online seminars 

• free access to selected facilitated online 

courses at no additional cost 

• a rich and vast selection of resources, 

such as research publications and video 

materials 

• monthly members’ e-newsletter and 

regular updates, including briefings on 

educational research and policy in England 

and internationally 

• online, tailored courses that cover a range 

of leadership topics 

• in-depth residential programmes at its 

campus in Nottingham. 

Lorna Bertrand is Head of International Evidence 

& Partnerships at the DfE and, Chair of OECD PISA 

Governing Board 

Schoolgirls at play, St 

John’s School, Montserrat 

Contact the National College directly through, 

international.team@nationalcollege.gsi.gov.uk 


ukti 

A winning 

formula 

Charmaine Wright and Hadford Howell 

discuss the work of the UKTI’s ‘Buddying’ 

programme in the Overseas Territories 

Turks and Caicos Islands 

I 

viewed the announcement that Jamaica 

would be the buddy post for the Turks and 

Caicos Islands with both trepidation and 

great excitement. Excitement as the Turks and 

Caicos (TCI) is a beautiful country looking 

to regain its footing economically. The TCI 

Government expresses a need to diversify 

income streams, reduce debt and increase 

revenue. All of these imperatives can mean 

opportunities for UK firms. 

Most of my trepidation in taking on the 

task came from the fact that UKTI has only 

one resource in Jamaica (me!) and there would 

need to be time and resources dedicated to 

truly making a go of it. 

Over the last few months, some progress 

has been made in truly representing TCI 

remotely. For those who are remotely 


overseeing a post, I would highly recommend 

engaging with the local authorities. The 

Governor’s office in TCI – in particular 

Joanne Yeadon and Peter Beckingham – has 

been most encouraging and helpful. 

TCI has a number of ambitious projects 

in the pipeline and these are worth over 

US$800m. Many of these projects will be 

done using a public/private partnership (PPP) 

framework – and include a cruise ship and 

cargo port, roads connecting the islands and 

airport upgrades. 

For me the way forward is clear, there will 

need to be a partnership arrangement with a 

Chamber of Commerce or a similar association 

for local support. I also believe a visit to the 

TCI in early 2014 would be useful in making 

useful connections within the business 

community and the Government. The TCI 

and other Caribbean nations will be invited 

to a PPP forum in Kingston in February 

2014, made possible with support from the 

Prosperity Fund, to also sharpen skills in this 

area and to introduce them to resources that are 

available from the UK to help them implement 

these projects successfully. 

Charmaine Wright, Senior Trade and Investment 

Officer, UKTI Jamaica

The TCI has a number of 

ambitious transport projects in 

the pipeline, including: a cargo 

port, roads connecting the 

islands and airport upgrades 

Montserrat and Anguilla 

The British High Commission in 

Bridgetown is accredited to Barbados 

and six independent Eastern Caribbean 

countries – namely: Antigua & Barbuda, 

Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, St 

Lucia and St Vincent & The Grenadines. Our 

UKTI Trade & Investment team’s role at the 

High Commission is to encourage, develop 

and assist UK companies already doing or 

seeking to do business (trade, invest) with 

businesses and institutions in these seven 

countries. 

Our team endeavour to ‘match’ UK 

companies with local companies. We often do 

this after conducting research, provide market 

advice, in-market assistance, arrange inward 

(and outward) trade missions, seminars 

and workshops. We identify and notify UK 

companies of local business opportunities in 

the sub-region, e.g. by publicising aid-funded 

and public sector tender notices, requests from 

local businesses and institutions for materials, 

products and/or services from UK companies. 

We have been known to help ‘hook-up’ 

businesses in new trading relationships and/ 

or joint venture partnerships on request. 

As of July 2013, the service our UKTI 

team offer to UK companies is now also 

available to persons residing in the Overseas 

Territories of Montserrat and Anguilla. 

Having been given the role of ‘buddying’ 

these two countries, our team is delighted to 

have regained a relationship with them – one 

that existed up to some 10 years ago when we 

previously worked with local businesses and 

public sector officials. They formed part of 

what was then our team’s extensive ‘Eastern 

Caribbean parish’. Though some officials and 

business personalities will have changed, I 

anticipate that several are still in place and so 

I look forward to resuming a friendly and cooperative 

business relationship. 

The TCI Government 

expresses a need to diversify 

income streams, reduce debt 

and increase revenue. All of 

these imperatives can mean 

opportunities for UK firms 

The new ‘buddying’ relationship to 

date, particularly with Montserrat, is 

already underway! Our team has had 

regular communication with officials there 

establishing our relationship. We have 

published project information on Montserrat 

and discussed how we might promote/ 

support local activities using our Post website. 

I also met with the Montserrat Government 

Representative while in London last month. 

Much more of this will follow. We will do 

things together to help both countries through 

collaboration and regular communication. It 

is a challenge our team feel up for and look 

forward to. 

Hadford S Howell MBE, Head of Trade & Investment, 

UKTI Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean 


INTERVIEW 

Island 

of 

aspiration 

THEH H USE In this challenging global 

economy how do you see a small island 

securing growth? 

With such a high dependency on tourism, 

Anguilla’s growth is clearly linked to the 

health of the wider global economy. So we 

need to focus on delivering the best possible 

visitor experience, diversifying our tourism 

offer, and ensuring those planning their 

holidays know that we’re here and want 

to come. I’m encouraged by the resort 

development currently underway, which 

reflects the confidence investors have in the 

future growth of Anguilla’s tourism sector. 

There are also, in addition, potential growth 

opportunities in areas where we are already 

established, such as financial services, and 

diversification into those remaining relatively 

untapped, such as our fishing waters. 

THEH H USE In recommending diversification 

of the economy beyond tourism where do 

you see Anguilla developing? 

Anguilla’s economy is largely based on 

tourism because we arguably have the best 


Christina Scott discusses 

skills, business, green 

tourism – and the pleasure 

of being Governor of an Isle 

blessed with natural ‘jewels’ 

John Thomas

We arguably have the 

best beaches, most delicious 

food, and friendliest people in 

the Caribbean 

beaches, most delicious food, and – most 

importantly - friendliest people in the 

Caribbean. There is also, however, a small, 

but important financial services sector, 

with the ambition to play a larger role 

in the economy. Already Anguilla is the 

fifth largest captive insurance domicile in 

the world. Its rising success can be traced 

back to the strength of regulation and 

effective monitoring of its companies, with 

strict adherence to global standards and a 

commitment to compliance and transparency. 

We also, I think, need to be innovative in 

breaking into new areas. During a recent visit 

to the High School it was great to hear some of 

the students talk about e-commerce and using 

the internet to access global markets. They’re 

already thinking about the companies they 

want to run; we need to help them do that. 

THEH H USE What steps, if any, should be 

taken to enhance education and training 

to prepare Anguillians for a stronger 

participation in the global economy? 

If Anguilla is to thrive, it must stay focused 

on building and retaining the right skills 

for its economy, whether that’s the financial 

experts and accountants needed to support 

its financial services sector, the hoteliers and 

chefs crucial to a thriving tourism sector, or 

the entrepreneurial and business skills needed 

to break into new markets. Ensuring rigorous 

academic opportunities for our young people 

must be at the centre of this. The British 

Government has also invested in, and wants 

to see the continued growth of technical and 

vocational training. I’d like to see greater 

involvement by the professions in providing 

mentoring and internships for young people. 

And we also need to tap into the expertise of 

the many successful international business 

people who live in Anguilla. 


THEH H USE What support and assistance 

would you ideally secure from 

international institutions for Anguilla? 

Anguilla already benefits from involvement in 

and collaboration with a range of international 

institutions. Of course direct financial 

assistance is of considerable help, but so 

too is the opportunity to access technical 

expertise and training to build local skills, and 

to work across the region to further common 

objectives, for example on protecting the 

environment. Longer-term relationships, 

based on partnership, offer the best potential 

to support Anguilla’s economic sustainability 

and development. 

THEH H USE What role, if any, could the 

Anguillian diaspora play in the country’s 

recovery and development other than 

remittances? 

This already happens in many ways. The 

Anguilla Community College has close 

connections with New York’s diaspora, and 

of course the links between families in the 

UK and Anguilla add a lot of value to both. 

There are many more opportunities to tap 

into Anguilla’s large diaspora communities. 

For example, individuals can help identify 

opportunities for inward investment to 

Anguilla, can use their expertise and skills 

to make sure that Anguilla benefits from the 

latest best practice, can mentor and support 

young Anguillians studying overseas, and 

can represent Anguilla in their communities 

and workplaces. Whether it is persuading 

a work colleague to holiday in Anguilla, 

supporting Anguillian musicians and athletes 

on their international travels, or reaching 

back to professionals in Anguilla to share 

ideas and experiences, all Anguillians 

overseas can do something practical to 

support Anguilla. 


John Thomas 

THEH H USE As a country particularly 

susceptible to the rigors of climate change 

what steps do you envisage Anguilla 

taking to protect its future, and will 

innovation play a role in this? 

The Caribbean is under threat, both from 

climate change and from over-development. 

Right across the region, governments and 

their people, companies and consumers, 

and local communities are going to have

to work together to protect the region’s 

natural heritage, tapping into the very latest 

technologies and innovations, particularly 

in the area of green energy. I am encouraged 

by the close work already underway across 

the Caribbean between Governments and 

NGOs. There is a clear recognition that 

protecting the environment is not a luxury, 

but critical to the success of the region’s 

economy. 

GREAT SCOTT: PROFILE 

At the age of 37, Christina Scott is relatively 

young for a Governor – and is only the second 

woman Governor of an Overseas Territory. 

Unusually Scott was not appointed from within 

the FCO, but from the Cabinet Offi ce where she 

formerly ran the Civil Contingencies Secretariat. 

As Governor, Scott acts as the de facto head 

of state. Rather uniquely, Anguilla is the only 

Overseas Territory to revolt against the UK 

Government with the aim of remaining British. 

THEH H USE Anguilla has a unique littleknown 

cultural and natural heritage – how 

do you envisage protecting this whilst at 

the same time sharing it benefits? 

There’s clearly a careful balance to be 

struck between protecting the cultural and 

natural heritage with which Anguilla is so 

well endowed, and making it accessible to 

locals and visitors in a way that promotes a 

better understanding and enjoyment, and 

also encourages economic growth. There are 

already some good examples – the ‘turtle 

watches’ led by the Anguilla National Trust 

and the Heritage Trail both improve access 

to Anguilla’s jewels, whilst helping to protect 

them. There’s a lot of potential for more. 

Introducing boat tours around Dog Island, for 

example, a globally important seabird colony, 

would encourage new visitors to the island 

and support local boat owners. Our waters are 

breeding grounds for whales and dolphins, a 

potentially strong draw for ‘green tourism’. 

And catching lionfish for consumption would 

help fishermen, whilst offsetting the negative 

effect this invasive species is having on our 

ecosystem. 

Christina Scott is Governor of Anguilla 


anguilla 

Clinical 

challenge 

Hubert Hughes outlines 

Anguilla’s struggle to provide 

quality healthcare with 

limited resources 

Anguilla has experienced a rapid shift 

to lifestyle related chronic noncommunicable 

diseases (CNCDs). 

The leading causes of death are 

heart disease, hypertension and 

stroke, diabetes and cancers. Reducing the 

incidence of these diseases requires lifestyle 

changes, plus earlier diagnosis, treatment and 

rehabilitation. 

To highlight the financial impact of chronic 

diseases, Anguilla is spending over a million 

US dollars a year on dialysis (11.4% of total 

expenditure on health). Health data reveal 

that 1,075 patients are receiving treatment for 

diabetes and hypertension in public clinics (this 

number does not include patients accessing 

private care). CNCDs, account for the greatest 

number of hospital admissions. Presently, 

there are 14 patients receiving treatment at the 

Princess Alexandra Hospital Dialysis Unit 

(six are diabetics and eight are hypertensive). 

In 2012, Government spent nearly a half 

million US dollars to assist 11 of the 14 clients 

on dialysis who could not afford to pay for 

this service. This represents 52% of the total 

expenditure for local medical treatment. 

Expenditure for dialysis in 2012 increased by 

38 | THE HOUSE MAGAZINE | NOvember 2013 

sixty-six percent (66%) when compared to 2011. 

Mental Health is also a priority health issue 

in Anguilla. Limited as they are, the majority 

of Mental Health Services are provided in the 

primary health care setting. To complement 

these services, the public hospital is equipped 

with a 10 bed acute-care psychiatric unit. 

Amongst the challenges in delivering quality 

Anguilla would benefit 

greatly from telemedicine 

opportunities 

mental health care are the lack of treatment 

facilities for the incarcerated mentally ill, 

human resource constraints, lack of supporting 

community infrastructure and community 

resources (i.e. day treatment, rehabilitative 

services and substance abuse programmes) and 

the unavailability of equipment for monitoring 

and evaluating drug therapy levels. 

Anguilla is divided into three health 

districts consisting of one Polyclinic and four 

health centres which provide basic primary

care services, with services also provided 

by private clinics. Secondary healthcare is 

provided by one 32 bed public hospital. 

While, there are no permanently established 

tertiary level services available on the island, 

some services are provided by visiting 

specialists. Because Anguilla has limited 

tertiary level care, significant monies are 

expended on overseas treatment. In 2012, 55 

persons were transferred overseas, 29 were 

financed by the Government (nearly US$1m). 

Thus far in 2013, 33 persons were transferred, 

with 16 financed by the Government (over 

Anguilla 

Capital: The Valley 

GDP: $175.4 (2009 est) 

Size: 91 sq km 

Population: 15,754 (July 2013 est.) 

Currency (UKOTA NEWS, April 2013): 

Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), United Sates 

Dollar (US$) 

Time Zone (UKOTA NEWS, April 2013) 

Greenwich Mean Time -4 Hours 

US$700,000). There is increasing concern 

about the number of injuries due to gun 

violence which have resulted in overseas 

transfers. 

Anguilla has an agreement with the UK to 

offer healthcare via the NHS, free of charge 

to four persons annually. Anguilla has made 

frequent use of this service. However with 

a population of 13,400, the demand often 

exceeds availability. 

Inadequate capital resources preclude 

the procurement and replacement of critical 

diagnostic equipment which increases the need 

for overseas transfers. As such, Anguilla would 

benefit greatly from telemedicine opportunities 

and the chance to access equipment 

relinquished by facilities in developed countries. 

Additionally, building human resource 

capacity through twinning, crossing training 

exchanges and other learning experiences would 

expose health professionals to a wider range of 

educational opportunities. 

The Hon. Hubert Hughes is Chief Minister of Anguilla 


BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 

Investment 

trust 

The British Virgin Islands 

operate to the highest 

standards of fi nancial 

transparency, says 

Orlando smith 

This year has been a definitive year for the 

British Virgin Islands (BVI) – possibly 

the most important period in the 

jurisdiction’s history. The country has found 

itself centre stage in the public, high-profile 

debate around ‘Tax, Trade and Transparency’ 

– the slogan for this year’s G8 Summit in June 

in Northern Ireland. 

The BVI has been on the front foot 

throughout all of these discussions, engaging 

pro-actively with all stakeholders and 

forcefully debunking many of misnomers 

and myths about the BVI. We have taken, 

for instance, steps to highlight the extensive 

level of regulation in the BVI; the significant 

and successful role the BVI plays in the 

global economy, particularly with regards 

to Foreign Direct Investment in emerging 

economies; and the successful, symbiotic 

partnership we continue to have with the 

David Cameron hosts a meeting to discuss tax avoidance with the 

Heads of the Overseas Territories and the Chief Ministers of the 

Crown Dependencies, June 2013: the British Prime Minister later 

acknowledged that the OTs operate “fair and open tax systems” 


City of London and the UK. 

It is important to re-emphasise some of the 

key facts about the BVI. Over the past two 

decades, the jurisdiction has implemented 

the highest standards of transparency, 

accountability and information exchange, 

as set out by the OECD, the IMF and other 

supranational and regulatory bodies. The 

extent and scope of this regulation exceeds 

that found in most other jurisdictions – 

including countries in the G8 – a fact that is 

often overlooked. 

Additional steps taken to ensure the BVI 

is at the forefront of international standards 

include being a committed participant to the 

EU G-5 automatic multilateral information 

exchange pilot; a commitment to enter into 

the Inter-Governmental Agreement with 

the UK to support automatic information 

sharing in tax matters; and a commitment 

to a US FATCA [Fair and Accurate 

Credit Transactions Act] Model I Inter- 

Governmental Agreement. The BVI has 

already stated it will in principle commit 

to joining the Multilateral Convention 

on Mutual Assistance on Tax Matters. 

As automatic exchange of information is 

introduced worldwide, we look forward 

to working with the relevant authorities 

throughout the scheduled implementation 

timeframe and beyond. 

We take enormous pride in the fact that 

in September this year, in the wake of the 

G20 meeting in Russia, UK Prime Minister 

David Cameron stated in Parliament that, 

given the significant efforts the British 

Overseas Territories (OTs) (including the 

BVI) have taken with regards to regulation 

and compliance with international bestpractice, 

it was no longer fair to label them as 

‘tax havens’. In his declaration, Mr Cameron 

acknowledged that the OTs operate “fair and 

British Virgin Islands 

Capital: Road Town (Tortola) 

GDP: $500 million (2010 est.) 



Currency (UKOTA NEWS, April 2013): United 

Sates Dollar (US$) 

Time Zone(UKOTA NEWS, April 2013): 


open tax systems” and went on to emphasise 

the importance they had to the UK and, more 

widely, the global economy. 

The BVI is a successful, transparent and very 

well regulated business hub playing a vital role 

in world trade. We are a major source of foreign 

direct investment into Asia. This business flow 

continues to grow, not just to Asia but other 

regions, due largely to the BVI’s Englishspeaking, 

English Common Law business 

environment and the fact that many of the 

world’s leading professional services firms have 

a substantial base in the jurisdiction. 

While there remains further work to be 

done in communicating the BVI’s strengths, 

and particularly its willingness to fully engage 

with regulators in the fight against financial 

crime, we believe the economic success of the 

BVI as a leading global financial jurisdiction 

should be applauded and encouraged. We 

remain committed to continuing to play 

a leading role in delivering a responsible, 

transparent and effectively regulated global 

business environment. We are proud of 

our part in the global economy and we will 

continue to be a positive global force for 

financial transparency. 

Dr, the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE 

is the Premier and Minister of Finance of the 



CAYMAN ISLANDS 

Rum Point, Grand Cayman Island: 

the islands attract scuba divers and 

other water sports enthusiasts 

natural 

assets 

FCO 


Financial services may be its 

central industry, but it is the 

Caymans’ fauna and fl ora that 

are key to its future success, 

says alden mclaughlin 

The Cayman Islands is a powerhouse in 

the financial services industry and has 

earned a reputation of good governance 

and transparency in our Government and 

financial services sector. 

The Financial Services industry is the 

most important driver of our economy today. 

Challenges to our on-going success as an 

international financial centre are many – from

increased competition and global economic 

factors, to continuing, uninformed attacks on 

our reputation and quality of business. 

Despite these challenges, the Cayman 

Islands continues to go from strength-tostrength 

because we have a robust, first-class 

financial services regime underpinned by 

quality professional support. The Cayman 

Islands has always been at the forefront 

of the financial services industry through 

transparency and regulation. In fact, Cayman 

was the first Overseas Territory to agree to 

and actually sign the UK FATCA (Foreign 

Account Tax Compliance Act) and will be 

signing the US FATCA in coming months. 

Our goal is to build sustainable economies, 

create jobs and drive prosperity. 

Some of those efforts are already coming to 

fruition. In February next year the first phase 

of Cayman Health City will come on line on 

Grand Cayman with a 140-bed tertiary-care 

hospital as a centre of excellence in cardiac 

surgery, cardiology and orthopedics. 

Over the next decade, the hospital will 

expand to a 2,000-bed facility, and expects to 

be a Joint Commission International, USA, 

Accredited facility providing care in major 

specialties including neurology, oncology and 

other cutting edge tertiary care disciplines. 

The complex is also planned to have a 

medical university and an assisted-care living 

community. 

Health City is just one of the ways the 

Cayman Islands is growing its economy 

through Public Private Partnerships. 

Employment opportunities for Caymanian 

artisans and construction workers will 

improve with the start of construction on the 

Dart Group’s new hotel property and a new 

hotel being proposed to service Health City. 

A proposed new golf course development will 

also provide opportunities for employment. 

Cayman Islands 

Capital: George Town (Grand Cayman) 

GDP: $2.25 billion (2008 est.) 




Cayman Island Dollar (CI$) 



While the financial services industry is, so 

to speak, the bread-and-butter of the country, 

its people and environment are critical to the 

country’s sustainability. 

Caymanians are a genteel people, ready 

and willing to lend a hand to their fellow man, 

hardworking and dedicated to their country. 

Today’s Cayman is comprised of more than 

100 nationalities of people who make the 

country home, working and playing side-byside. 

The sea, flora and fauna of the Cayman 

Islands are precious and jealously guarded. 

You can swim with the stingrays at Stingray 

City in the Caribbean Sea, but know that 

legislation protects them. 

Tourism is a vital sector for the 

sustainability of the Cayman Islands 

economy; so much so that a new cruise 

berthing dock is in the works, as well as 

improvements to the airports on all three 

Islands. We boast world-class restaurants, top 

accommodation and attractions that are found 

nowhere else in the world. 

The three Cayman Islands – Grand 

Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman – 

are indeed jewels in the Caribbean Sea. 

The Hon Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP, MLA is 

Premier of the Cayman Islands 


MONTSERRAT 

From 

survival 

to revival 

Having endured disaster, 

Montserrat is now focused on 

regeneration, including new 

geothermal energy production 

says Reuben meade 

A 

senior editor in one of the UK’s 

most respected business journals 

said recently that Montserrat was 

uninhabited. That would come as news to the 

5,000 people living here – admittedly less than 

half the number prior to Hurricane Hugo in 

1989 and the volcanic eruptions from 1995 – 

but still remarkably resilient. 

Before 1989, Montserrat enjoyed economic 

success. The island had a glamorous 

Soufriere Hills 

volcano erupts, 

Montserrat, 2010: 

the island is getting 

some ‘pay back’ 

in the form of 

geothermal energy, 

says Meade 


eputation, largely due to the rock stars 

recording at Sir George Martin’s Air Studios, 

and a diverse, vibrant economic base. So 

our current financial dependence on Britain 

feels uncomfortable to us. We are grateful for 

Britain’s support but we know that it is not 

sustainable and that private sector investment 

is needed to restore self-sufficiency. 

Much of our last 15 years have been spent 

restoring basic services and infrastructure. 

That recovery period is now largely complete 

and we are turning our attention to rebuilding 

the economy. 

International tourism is our main target. We 

have no ambition to become a high volume, 

all-inclusive destination. We are instead small, 

secluded and safe. To the current generation 

of international travellers, we offer new and 

unique experiences. After all, there are few 

places where visitors can safely view up close a 

live volcano. 

Investors in other sectors are arriving: a 

hydroponics cultivation business has recently 

been established by French investors; a microbrewery 

will be set up by a US investor; a 

UK paint distributor will use Montserrat as a 

regional distribution hub. 

Meanwhile, the volcano is giving us some pay 

back in the form of geothermal energy. Cheaper 

and cleaner electricity will give us a huge 

competitive advantage in the region. Led by the 

Montserrat Development Corporation, work is 

also well under way in Little Bay, the site for a 

new port and marina, waterfront, resort hotel, 

residences, and civic and recreational space – 

Montserrat’s new capital town. 

Investor interest is coming from the Middle 

East, China, the United States, South America 

and Britain. The Montserratian diaspora 

also wants to invest and the Montserrat 

Investment Fund is being established to offer 

a stake in economic regeneration. 

mONTSERRAT 

GDP: $43.78 million (2006 est.) 




Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) 



We do face challenges of course. The 

international investment market is still 

cautious. Many overseas investors are 

seeking economic citizenship - something our 

competitors can offer but still frowned upon 

by the British Government. 

Cheaper and cleaner 

electricity will give us a 

huge competitive advantage 

in the region 

Access is another constraint. Our airstrip 

is small, limited by the island’s topography, 

though it can handle more flights and larger 

aircraft once demand grows. Access by sea is 

constrained by a small jetty and strong currents. 

But the plan for Little Bay includes a breakwater 

and port which will enable cruise ships to dock, 

a faster and more reliable ferry service and a 

commercial marina for leisure traffic. 

The new port, along with geothermal 

power, will transform Montserrat’s economy. 

We remain in the British Government’s 

financial hands but the ‘spend-to- save’ 

argument is a strong one. Perhaps then that 

senior editor will stand corrected – he will 

certainly be able to visit more easily. 

The Honourable Reuben Meade is 

Premier of Montserrat 

nOVEMBER 2013 | THE HOUSE MAGAZINE | 45

TURKS & CAICOS 

Trouble 

in 

paradise 

July 2009: An unidentifi ed Haitian survivor 

receives medical treatment after an 

overloaded boat capsized in the reef-studded 

waters off the Turks and Caicos Islands 

The UK needs to fulfi l its duty and 

help the Turks and Caicos with 

its ‘mammoth’ border security 

problem, writes Wesley Clerveaux 

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) are 

a British Overseas Territory consisting 

of some 40 islands and cays with a total 

landmass of merely 193 square miles and a 

population of 33,000. 

The Government of the TCI has sought to 

build the economy of the Islands by attracting 

international investors, modernizing 

education and health systems and upgrading 

the country’s major infrastructures. Despite 

this blueprint for economic and social 

development, one of the biggest threats to this 

fragile economy is that of Border Security. 

Unlike many other OTs, the issue of Border 

Security in the TCI is a mammoth problem of 

paramount concern. If not addressed urgently, 

it has the potential to disintegrate the efforts 


of the local Government and propel this small 

UK-OT into a perpetual cycle of financial and 

social stagnation, running the risk of making 

the Islands a “failed state”. 

Thereby, exposing the Government of the 

UK to contingent liability in respect of the 

Islands. 

Albeit there are locally elected Government 

officials, the responsibility of defence, 

border and maritime security remain the 

responsibility of the UK Government . This 

responsibility is enshrined in the island’s 

constitution and recognised by the UK 

Ministry of Defence: “Defend the UK and 

its Overseas Territories… Providing security 

for the Nation and its Overseas Territories, 

safeguarding its citizens and their way of life 

remains the most important responsibility of 

Government and Defence.” 

In 2006, over 2,028 illegal immigrants 

were detected and effectively repatriated 

by local authorities. These are significant

Dr Eric Salamanca 

numbers, given the size of the Territory and its 

population. This translates to approximately 

3% of the size of the resident population 

intercepted and repatriated last year. 

To put this into context, it is the equivalent 

of the US, repatriating the population of New 

York City or the UK repatriating a population 

the size of Birmingham. 

The resources that are directed to manage 

this effort is equally significant. In 2012, 

repatriation costs rose to a staggering 

US$1.3m, and have already reached 

US$750,000 for the first half of this financial 

year. It is predicted to have a year-end 

impact of US$1.6m, if the territory’s borders 

remain unprotected. This figure represents 

a significant percentage of the country’s 

Gross Domestic Product and 50% of the 

funds budgeted for scholarship to tertiary 

institutions for 2013-2014. 

In addition to people trafficking, vessels 

are found to be carrying contrabands from 

Haiti and the Dominican Republic. A recent 

article in mobilebeta.reuters.com, the writer 

postulated that “about 14% of U.S.-bound 

cocaine (~ 42 tons) was trafficked through 

the Caribbean in the first half of 2013, and 

Wood stacked for charcoal 

production by illegal immigrants is 

discovered deep in the forest: this 

illicit activity poses the biggest 

threat to the TCI’s biodiversity and 

environment 

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS 

Capital: Cockburn Town 

GDP: $632 million (2007 est.) 




United Sates Dollar (US$) 

Time Zone (UKOTA NEWS, April 2013): 


Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are 

emerging as hubs of the burgeoning trade”. 

The UK Foreign Affairs Committee raised 

this issue of border security in the TCI in its 

7th report of session 2007-08 and concluded, 

“given the scale of illegal immigration of 

Haitians into the Territory the FCO should 

accept greater responsibility for tackling the 

issue. We recommend that the FCO should 

provide a regular Royal Navy presence in TCI’s 

coastal waters to assist with patrols”. 

The recommendations of the committee 

remain valid, despite current efforts to improve 

political relations with the Haiti. The absence 

of the Royal Navy presence in the TCI waters 

to assist with patrols and to act as deterrence 

have done little to thwart these constant 

maritime threats. 

The more of these illegal vessels that 

evade detection, the greater the cumulative 

negative impact on the environment, the social 

systems, crime rates as well as the economic 

prosperity of the TCI. It is therefore 

incumbent upon both the local and the UK 

Government to provide the safest and most 

secure perimeter possible. 

Wesley Clerveaux is Permanent Secretary to the 

Offi ce of the Premier, Turks and Caicos Islands 


ANGUILLA 

contacts 

Office Of The Governor 

Christina Scott 

Her Excellency The Governor 

+1 264 497 2621 

Christina.Scott@fco.gov.uk 

Steve Mccready 

Chief of Staff to Governor of 

Anguilla 

+1 264 497 2621 

Steve.McCready@fco.gov.uk 

Hon. Stanley E. Reid 

Deputy Governor 

+1 264 497 2621 

Stanley.Reid@gov.ai 

Kathleen A Rogers 

Permanent Secretary Public 

Administration 

+1 264 497 3041 

Kathleen.Rogers@gov.ai 

Government Of Anguilla UK 

Representative 

Dorothea Hodge 

UK Representative of Anguilla 

+44 (0) 207 759 1141 

ukeurep@anguillagovlondon.org 

Office Of The Chief Minister 

Hon. Hubert B. Hughes 

Chief Minister of Anguilla 

+1 264 497 2547 

HubertB.Hughes@gov.ai 

Minister Of Finance, 

Economic Development, 

Investments & Tourism 

Hon. Hubert B. Hughes 

Minister 

+1 264 497 2547 

HubertB.Hughes@gov.ai 

Aidan A. Harrigan 

Permanent Secretary of Finance 

+1 262 497 2547 

Aidan.Harrigan@gov.ai 

Merwyn F Rogers 

Permanent Secretary of Economic 

Development 

+1 264 497 2547 

Merwyn.Rogers@gov.ai 

Wycliffe C. Fahie 

Principle Assistant Secretary 

+1 264 497 2547 

Wycliffee.Fahie@gov.ai 

Minister Of Education, 

Youth& Culture, Sports 

Hon. Jerome Roberts 

Minister 

+1 264 497 2518 

Jerome.Roberts@gov.ai 

Bonnie Richardson-Lake 

Permanent Secretary of Health & 

Social Development 

+ 1 264 497 2317 

Bonnie.Lake@gov.ai 


Chanelle E Petty Barrett 

Permanent Secretary of Education, 

Youth & Culture, Sports 

+ 1 264 497 2874 

Chanelle.PettyBarette@gov,ai 

Ministry Of Home Affairs, 

Natural Resources, Lands & 

Physical Planning 

Hon. Jerome C Roberts 

Minister 

+1 264 497 2518 

Jerome.Roberts@gov.ai 

Aurjul H Wilson 

Permanent Secretary of Home 

Affairs 

+1 264 497 2518 

Aurjul.Wilson@gov.ai 

Ministry Of Infrastructure, 

Communities, Utilities & 

Housing 

Hon Evan Gumbs 

Minister 

+1 264 497 2442 

Evan.Gumbs@gov.ai 

Larry A Franklin 

Permanent Secretary of 

Infrastructure, Communities, 

Utilities & Housing 

+1 264 497 2651 

Larry.Franklin@gov.ai 




Boyd McCleary, CMG, CVO 

His Excellency the Governor 

+ 1 284 494 2345 

bvigovernor@gov.vg 

V. Inez Archibald 


+ 1 284 468 3701 ext. 

2195/3000 

dgo@gov.vg 

David Archer 

Permanent Secretary 

+ 1 284 468 3701 ext. 

2195/3000 

darcher@gov.vg 

Office Of The Premier 

Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando 

Smith, OBE 

Premier of British Virgin Islands 

+ 1 284 468 3701 ext 2152 

premieroffice@gov.vg 

Rosalie Adams 


+1 284 494 3701 

radams@gov.vg 

Ministry Of Finance 

Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando 

Smith, OBE 

Minister 

+1 284 494 3701 

finance@gov.vg 

Neil Smith 

Financial Secretary 

+1 284 494 3701 ext. 2144 

nmsmith@gov.vg 

Ministry Of Natural 

Resources And Labour 

Dr. the Honourable Kedrick 

Pickering 

Minister 

+ 1 284 468 3701 ext 2147 

nrl@gov.vg 

Ronald Smith-Berkeley 


+1 284 494 3701 

rsberkeley@gov.vg 

Ministry Of Health And 

Social Development 

Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton 

Minister 

+1 284 468 3701 ext 2174 

ministryofhealth@gov.vg 

Petrona Davies 


+1 284 494 3701 

pdavies@gov.vg 

Ministry Of Communications 

& Works 

Hon. Mark Vanterpool 

Minister for Communications and 

Works 

+ 1 284-468-3701 ext 

2183/2115 

mcw@gov.vg 

Gary Penn (Ag.) 


+1 284 494 3701 

gpenn@gov.vg 

Ministry Of Education And 

Culture 

Hon. Myron Walwyn 

Minister 

+ 1 284 468 3701 ext 2151/3358 

mec@gov.vg 

Dr. Marcia Potter (Ag.) 


+1 284 494 3701 

mpotter@gov.vg 

UK Representative Office 

Kedrick Malone 

UK representative of British Virgin 

Islands 

+ 44 (0)20 7355 9570 

kmalone@bvi.org.uk 


CAYMAN ISLANDs 


Helen Kilpatrick , CB 

Her Excellency The Governor 

+1 (345) 244 2401 

Steve Moore 

Head of Governor’s Office 

+1 (345) 244 2425 

staffoff@candw.ky 

Civil Service 

Hon. Franz Manderson Cert Hon JP 


+1 (345) 244 2344 

Gloria McField-Nixon 

Chief Office 

+1 (345) 244 2344 

Gloria.McField@gov.ky 


Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP 

Premier of the Cayman Islands 

+1 (345) 244 2412 

Kristy Watler 

PA to the Premier 

+1 (345) 244 2412 

Kristy.Watler@gov.ky 

Minister Of Home & 

Community Affairs 

Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP 

Minister 

+1 (345) 949 7900 

Eric Bush 

Chief Officer of Home Affairs 

+1 (345) 949 7900 

Eric.Bush@gov.ky 

Dorine Whittaker 

Chief Officer of Community Affairs 

+1 (345) 949 7900 

Dorine.Whittaker@gov.ky 


Ministry Of District 

Administration, Tourism & 

Transport 

Hon. Moses Kirkconnell, JP, MLA 

Minister 

+1 (345) 244 2458 

Moses.Kirkconnell@gov.ky 

Stran Bodden 

Chief Officer 

+1 (345) 244 2458 

Stran.Bodden@gov.ky 

Ministry Of Planning, 

Agriculture, Housing And 

Infrastructure 

Hon. D. Kurt Tibbetts, OBE, JP 

Minister 

+1 (345) 244 2412 

Alan Jones 

Chief Officer 

+1 (345) 244 2412 

Alan.Jones@gov.ky 

Ministry.DAPAH@gov.ky 

Ministry Of Education, 

Employment & Gender 

Affairs 

Hon. Tara Rivers, MLA 

Minister 

+1 (345) 244 2417 

Tara.Rivers@gov.ky 

Mary Rodrigues 

Chief Officer 

+1 (345) 244 2417 

Mary.Rodrigues@gov.ky 

Ministry Of Financial 

Services, Commerce & 

Environment 

Hon. Wayne Panton MLA 

Minister 

+1 (345) 244 2424 

Wayne.Panton@gov.ky 

Dr. Dax Basdeo 

Chief Officer 

+1 (345) 244 2424 

Dax.Basdeo@gov.ky 

Ministry Of Health, Sports, 

Youth & Culture 

Hon. Osbourne Bodden, MLA 

Minister 

+1 (345) 244 2318 

Osbourne.Bodden@gov.ky 

Jennifer Ahearn 

Chief Officer 

+1 (345) 244 2318 

Jennifer.Ahearn@gov.ky 

h&hs@gov.ky 

Ministry Of Finance & 

Economic Development 

Hon. Marco Archer, MLA 

Minister 

+1 (345) 244 2404 

Marco.Archer@gov.ky 

Sonia McLaughlin 

Chief Officer 

+1 (345) 244 2428 

Sonia.McLaughlin@gov.ky 

fecd@gov.ky 

UK Representative Office 

Charles Parchment 

Deputy Representative 

+44 (0)207 491 7772 

info@cigo.co.uk 


MONTSERRAT 


HE Adrian Davis 

His Excellency the Governor of 

Montserrat 

+1 664 491 2688 

Adrian.Davis@fco.gov.uk 

Alrick Taylor 


+1 664 491 6524/6523 

taylora@gov.ms 

Mark Turner 

Head of Staff 

+1 664 491 2688/2689 

mark.turner@fco.gov.uk 


Hon. Reuben T. Meade 

The Premier of Montserrat 

+ 1 664 491 3378/3462 

ocm@gov.ms 

Angela Greenaway 

Cabinet Secretary 

+1 664 491 2066/2557 

Greenawaya@gov.ms 

Ministry Of Finance, 

Economic Development, 

Tourism & Culture 

Hon. Reuben T. Meade 

Premier 

+ 1 664 491 3378/3462 

meadetr@gov.ms 

John Skerritt OBE 

Hon. Financial Secretary 

+1 664 491 2777/2356 

skerrittj@gov.ms 

Ministry Of Communication, 

Works & Labour 

Hon. Charles T. Kirnon 

Minister of Communication, Works 

& Labour 

+1 664 491 2251/2522 

kirnonc@gov.ms 

Beverley Mendes 


+1 664 491 2251/3471 

mendesb@gov.ms 

mcw@gov.ms 

Ministry Of Education, 

Health, Community 

Services, Sports & Youth 

Hon. Colin Riley 

Minister +1 664 491 2880 

rileycm@gov.ms 

Elijah Silcott 

Permanent Secretary of Health, 

Community & Social Services 

+1 664 491 2880/4520 

silcotte@gov.ms 

Philip Chambers 

Permanent Secretary of Education 

+1 664 491 2541/6941 

chambersp@gov.ms 

Hon. Jermaine Wade 

Parliamentary Secretary of Youth 

& Sports 

+1 664 491 5701/5701 

wadej@gov.ms 

Ministry Of Agriculture, 

Lands, Housing, 

Environment & 

Ecclesiastical Affairs 

Hon. Easton Taylor-Farrell 

Minister of Agriculture, Lands, 

Housing, Environment & 

Ecclesiastical Affairs 

+1 664 491 2075/2546 

farrelle@gov.ms 

Camille Gerald 


+1 664 491 2070/2546 

geraldcc@gov.ms 

Montserrat Government 

Office In London, UK 

Janice Panton, MBE 

UK Representative 

+44 (0) 20 7520 2622 

j.panton@montserrat-gov.org 

admin@montserrat-gov.org 


TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDs 


Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing 

Premier of The Turks & Caicos 

Islands 

+1 (649) 946 2801 ext. 40101 

+1 (649) 338 5744 

premier@gov.tc 

Wesley Clerveaux 

Permanent Secretary to the 

Premier 

+1 (649) 338 5743 

wvclerveaux@gov.tc 

Darlene Clerveaux-Forbes 

PA to the Premier 

+1 (649) 946 2802 

+ (649) 338 3767 

dlclerveaux@gov.tc 

Ronlee James 

Head of Secretariat 

+(649) 946 2801 

rjjames@gov.tc 

Ministry of Education Youth, 

Sports & Library Services. 

Hon. Akierra Missick 

Deputy Premier 

Minister of Education Youth, 

Sports, Culture and Library Service 

+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext 40601 

+1 (649) 338 5868 

akierra.missick@gmail.com or 

ammissick@gov.tc 

Ali M. Williams 

Personal Assistant 



+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext 40610 

awilliams@gov.tc 

Cheryl Ann Jones 




+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext 40602 

csjones@gov.tc 

Tamera Robinson 

Deputy Secretary 



+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext 40603 

Terobinson@gov.tc 

Mary R. Lightbourne 




+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext 40609 

mrlightbourne@gov.tc 

Ministry of Finance, 

Investment and Trade 

Hon. Charles W. Misick 

Minister of Finance 

+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext: 40527 

Fax: +1 (649) 946 1498 

cwmisick@gov.tc 

Stephen Turnbull 

Chief Financial Officer 

+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext: 40505 

Fax: +1 (649) 946 1498 

strurnbull@gov.tc 

Athenee Harvey 


+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext: 40505 

Fax: +1 (649) 946 1498 

ajharvey@gov.tc 

Arthur Been 

Deputy Permanent Secretary 

+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext: 40507 

Fax: +1 (649) 946 1498 

abeen@gov.tc 

Verneice Selver 


+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext: 40505 

Fax: +1 (649) 946 1498 

vselver@gov.tc 

Denika Been 

Personal Assistant 

+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext: 40527 

Fax: +1 (649) 946 1498 

dgbeen@gov.tc 

Ministry Of Government 

Support Services 

Hon. George Lightbourne 

Minister of GSS 

+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext. 40906 

+1 (649) 338 3501 

galightbourne@gov.tc 

Ian Astwood 

Permanent Secretary (Acting) 

+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext. 40902 

+1 (649) 338 3503 

imastwood@gov.tc 


Russell Cox 


+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext. 40903 

+1 (649) 338 3513 

rccox@gov.tc 

Kathy Walkin 


+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext. 40904 

+1 (649) 338 3508 

khwalkin@gov.tc 

Tanya Taylor 

Personal Assistant to the Minister 

+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext. 40906 

+1 (649) 338 3511 

ttaylor@gov.tc 

Ministry Of Border Control 

And Labour 

Hon. Ricardo Don-Hue Gardiner 

Minister of Border Control and 

Labour 

+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext. 40710 

+1 (649) 338 2937 

tcilaw@hotmail.com 

Clara Gardiner 


+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext. 40709 

+1 (649) 338 2972 

cgardiner@gov.tc 

Stuart Taylor 


+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext. 40714 

+1 (649) 338 4418 

staylor@gov.tc 

Cynara John 


+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext. 40703 

+1 (649) 338 2974 

cjohn@gov.tc 

Agnes Kendall 

Personal Assistant to the Minister 

+1 (649) 946 2801 Ext. 40710 

+1 (649) 338 2937 

aekendall@gov.tc 

Ministry of Environment & 

Home Affairs 

Hon. Amanda Misick 

Minister of Environment & Home 

Affairs 

+1 (649) 946 2801 ext. 41505 

aamssick@gov.tc 

Susan Malcolm 


+1 (649) 946 2801 ext. 41505 

Smalcolm@gov.tc 

Sharon Taylor 

Deputy Secretary 

+1 (649) 946 2801 ext. 41505 

SETaylor@gov.tc 

Amin McCartney 


+1 (649) 946 2801 ext. 41503 

AMcCartney@gov.tc 

Teresa Andrews 

PA to the Minister 

+1 (649) 946-2801 ext. 41509 

ttwilliams@gov.tc 

Minister Of Health & 

Human Services 

Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith 

+1 (649) 946 2801ext 40801 

+1 (649) 242 2764 

pmsmith@gov.tc 

Mellisa Rolle 

Personal Assistant/Minister 

+1 (649) 946 2801 ext 40808 

+1 (649) 431 2626 

mrolle@gov.tc 

Desiree Lewis 

Permanent Secretary/Health & 

Human Services 

+1 (649) 946 2801 ext 40802 

+1 (649) 231 9227 

dlewis@gov.tc 

Renessa Williams 


+1 (649) 946 2801 ext 40809 

+1 (649) 332 2990 

rawilliams@gov.tc 

Portia Clarke 


+1 (649) 946 2801 ext 40802 

+1 (649) 322 4604 

psclarke@gov.tc 


Additional CONTACTs 

The West India Committee 

www.westindinacommittee.org 

Blondel Cluff 

CEO 

+44 (0) 20 7799 5441 

blondelcluff@westindiacommittee. 

org 

Nadine Scott 

Envoy 

+44 (0) 20 7799 5441 

nadinescott@westindiacommittee. 

org 

Bermuda 

The Hon. Craig Cannonier, JP, MP 

Premier 

+1 441 292 5501 

Website: www.gov.bm 

Kimberly Durrant 

United Kingdom Representative 

+44 (0) 20 7518 9900 

kdurrant@gov.bm 

Falkland Islands 

Claudette Prior MBE 

Clerk of the Legislative Assembly 

+500 27451 

clerkofcouncils@sec.gov.fk 

Sukey Cameron MBE 


+44 (0)20 7222 2542 

representative@falklands.go.fk 

Gibraltar 

The Hon. Fabian Picardo 

Chief Minister of Gibraltar 

+350 200 70071 

www.gibraltar.gov.gi 

Albert Poggio OBE 


+44 (0) 20 7836 0777 

A.Poggio@gibraltar.gov.uk 

Saint Helena, Ascension 

Islands and Tristian da 

Cunha 

HE Mark Capes 

Governor 

+290 2555 

www.sainthelena.gov.sh 

Kedell Worboys MBE 


+44 (0)20 3170 8705/8706 

shgukrep@sthelenagov.com 

Pitcairn Islands 

Pitcairn Islands Office 

P.O. Box 105 696 

Auckland 

New Zealand 

+64 9 366 0186 

admin@pitcairn.gov.pn 

To learn more about Dods 

international services, call 

+44 (0) 20 7593 5643 


Cayman Islands 

Anguilla 

Ascension 

Bermuda Island Gibraltar Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia 

Turks and 

Caicos Islands 

Montserrat 

British 

Virgin 

Islands 

Pitcairn Island St. Helena 

British Indian Ocean Territory 

Falkland 

Islands 

Tristan da 

Cunha 

British Antarctic Territory 

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 

OVERSEAS TERRITORIES 


Caribbean E 

po 

Caribbean Export 

- the only regional export development and trade and investment 

promotion organisation of the Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM). 

Caribbean 

Export 

Development 

Agency (Caribbean 

Export) is the only 

regional export 

development 

and investment 

promotion 

agency in the 

African, Caribbean 

and Pacific (ACP) group. The Agency was 

established in 1996 by an Inter-Governmental 

Agreement amongst the 15 States of 

CARIFORUM pursuant to their desire to 

promote private sector development, given 

the challenges and opportunities resulting 

from an increasingly globalized economic 

environment, as well as to enhance regional 

cooperation and integration. 

With our four-pillar approach of 

competitiveness and innovation, trade and 

export development, investment promotion 

and institutional capacity building, Caribbean 

Export not only supports regional development, 

but also facilitates the creation of conducive 

commercial environments for regional 

businesses and enterprises in the competitive 

global economy. Focussed on growth priority 

sectors such as agro-processing, alternative 

energy, creative industries, handicraft, health 

and wellness, manufacturing, professional 

services, and specialised tourism Caribbean 

Export supports the regions Private Sector with 

capacity building, market penetration and the 

utilisation of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic 

Partnership Agreement (EPA). 

One such priority sector is the Financial Services 

sector which contributes between 15% to 

60% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in some 

Caribbean countries. Thus it is a critical industry 

as a dominant economic driver within many 

member states. The strategic focus of the 

Agency includes promoting the industry in 

order to address these current challenges that 

the sector faces and to provide a recommended 

course of action. The strategy also focuses on 

the role of advocacy in the development of the 

financial services industry. 

The EPA, as a trade agreement with 

development components, is designed to 

open up and enhance trade between Europe 

and CARIFORUM by removing barriers to 

trade between them and by improving 

CARIFORUM’s capacity to trade competitively. 

The EPA contains rules to ensure that the 

trade and investment between CARIFORUM 

and the European Union (EU) is conducted 

on a transparent and predictable basis while 

accommodating the marked differences in size and 

level of development between the two regions.

“ 

rtThe strategic focus of the 

Agency includes promoting 

the industry in order to address 

these current challenges that 

the sector faces and to provide 

a recommended course 

of action.” 

Our efforts in these areas extend outside of 

CARIFORUM, reaching out to those countries 

that make up the French Caribbean Outermost 

Regions (FCORs), as well as those that comprise 

the English and Dutch Overseas Countries and 

Territories (OCTs). 

Through enhanced open trade it is expected that 

the EPA will: 

• Expand and improve CARIFORUM’s 

industries and economic growth by enabling 

CARIFORUM States to develop exports in 

services and a wider range of goods in which 

they have a comparative advantage; 

• Increase employment and business 

opportunities; 

• Improve CARIFORUM’s access to European 

technology and technical ‘know how’; 

• Increase competition within CARIFORUM and 

thereby improve efficiency in production 

processes. 

Following the 20th Meeting of the Council of 

CARIFORUM Ministers, Caribbean Export was 

mandated to play a key role in addressing the 

challenges relating to the promotion of the 

regional Financial Services Sector in CARIFORUM 

States. This includes focussing on protecting and 

promoting the interest of the regional Financial 

Services Sector, in addition to assisting with the 

identification of alternative sources of funding to 

support the work required to effectively promote 

the industry. 

The protection of the CARIFORUM Financial 

Services Sector relates directly to the subjection 

of Caribbean International Financial Centres (IFCs) 

to various forms of international tax scrutiny 

and enforcement. The current imposition of the 

Foreign Account Compliance Tax Act (FACTA) is 

the latest salvo to support this sustained effort to 

impose international tax enforcement. This regime 

requires that not only foreign financial institutions, 

but other withholding agents establish a series of 

requirements to identify their US account holders, 

report to the US tax authorities and carries the 

threat of substantial penalties. 

With the likelihood that other countries might 

look to follow suit and impose a variation of 

FACTA, and with most Caribbean IFC’s already 

signatory to the Tax information Exchange 

Agreements (TIEA), Caribbean IFC are severely 

impacted in meeting this new imposition namely 

in terms of costs, privacy, disclosure issues and 

eventually customer flight. 

Caribbean Export, working on behalf of 

CARIFORUM and the wider Caribbean, is indeed 

well positioned to effect change in the region 

as we continue to execute the Regional Private 

Sector Development Programme funded by 

the European Union under the 10th European 

Development Fund (EDF). 

1st Floor Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, 

BB22026, Barbados 

T: +1 (246) 436 0578 

F: +1 (246) 436 9999 

E: info@carib-export.com 

www.carib-export.com 

www.facebook.com/Caribbean.Export 

Twitter: @CaribXport

Dods would like to thank the following organisations for their support in enabling 

The Guide to The Overseas Territories of the Caribbean to be published

Overseas - Dods Monitoring

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?