BVI companies lacking presence of BVIslanders and Belongers at the top: Who is paying attention?
Letter to the editor - Monday, January 17th, 2011 at 8:26 AM
Though British Virgin Islanders represent more than 50 percent of the population, they fill only 25 percent of directors, partners and senior management positions at trust companies, banks and law firms within the territory.
The largest trust companies and law firms in the BVI are headed by managing directors and have senior management personnel who are not BVIslanders or Belongers.
This situation is referred to as a “ceiling” as there is a limitation blocking upward advancement, and “glass” (transparent) because the limitation is not immediately apparent and is normally an unwritten and unofficial policy. This invisible barrier continues to exist, even though there are no explicit obstacles keeping BVIslanders and Belongers from acquiring advanced job positions.
Many of the advertisements say “Applications from BV Islanders and Belongers preferred”. However the discrimination lies in the advertisement itself, where it would indicate such phrases as “knowledge of US GAAP and IFRS; be able to speak fluent Portuguese; familiarity with information systems such as Bloomberg/Reuters” or other barriers to advancement, such as education or experience requirements.
When a company exercises said discrimination, they will usually attempt to use an indirect justification such as “You do not have the specific experience”. While the prospective candidate may have all the necessary skills and qualification, except for one small detail for which training can easily be provided, that candidate loses the opportunity to be in a management position at the company. It’s the barrier that prevents large numbers of BVIslanders or Belongers from obtaining and securing the most powerful, prestigious, and highest earning jobs in the workforce. This barrier makes many BVIslanders or Belongers feel as though they are not worthy enough to have these high-ranking positions, but also they feel as if their bosses do not take them seriously or actually see them as potential candidates.
Bear in mind work permit applications have already been submitted and are in the processing stages for many of these higher earning positions. For example, the positions such as senior manager, audit; litigation credit controller, trust officer, legal; corporate finance lawyer; client advisor; corporate services manager which are potentially high-income positions are highly likely to be filled by non-BVIslanders or Belongers, although there exists a pool of qualified candidates to fill same.
The positions, however, indicated as executive assistant, office manager, assistant manager, receptionist, with lower income potential, are likely to be filled by BVIslanders and Belongers. Are the Labor Commissioner and her constituents paying close attention to this serious issue or are they processing these work permits like business as usual?
For some companies, succession management is a strategic process that minimizes leadership gaps for critical positions and provides opportunities for top talent to develop the skills necessary for future roles. With other companies, succession management is a constant struggle, viewed as an administrative exercise rather than as a competitive advantage.
Let it be noted that At-large Representative Hon. Keith Flax stated in an article dated May 19, 2010 that he is keeping his eyes on Appleby. As it may well be known, Deloitte & Touche may be handling the management of the corporate side of Appleby and Deloitte has positions available.
Who is paying attention?
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38 Comments
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hey stop u all noises about we bvilongers like we aint gone no were. lots of us leave an gone st, thamas the main land usa an other places an are workin in key position all around the world. we have 2 stop this badmindedness twoward we self . it does not matter were he or she comes from u can tell who never travel by the way they speak ,,,because let me tell u guys something an this is experience. i am from the bvi an i live in england an nothing feel sweet like wen u meet up on a carribean person. u feel good. its have a group of us do meet up at diffent places jus 2 talk have fun an jus relax. it hav others who are not from the carribbean do join in.
we have to stop this nonsence everyone wantz 2 be the chief no one wantz 2 be the indian. an most of the times the indian have it an living a more comfortable life better than the chief. at the end of the day all of us is getting payed. dont badmind someone esle because he or she is makin more or is the boss.
so wat, jus do ur work an put ur trust in god if he see it fit 2 move u up trust me he will move u the ladder but dont badmind or badtalkin anyone jus 2 get on top because wen u do it will not last so lets jus stop this …….
u needs to stop talking about trust companies thats the least of the problems ….talk about simple jobs such as customs and human resources even a supermarket…..i myself has been trying for a few years trying to get a job i am a bvislander and cannot even get in to any because of bad minded people i have qualifications more than ever for at least a supermarket job and they turning me down because of what i feel to be a not good enough gesture….come on wise up i bet in the next three years al the bvisalnders are going to study in the states and stay to work to make a living and not return to the bvi
Agreed Sowande, it is a great discussion but there is no need for all this expat bashing. We need to take a realistic approach to our involvement in the financial sector.
I for one and very concerned that all our young, “would be” professionals and executive types only seem to be interested in working for government, banks and trust companies. They really need to diversify! The world is their oyster and if looking for a job at home, they should be looking in areas that are not already saturated with talent. As mentioned previously, the yacht charter industry is one such area. So is the hospitality industry, medicine, education and so on.
However, it seems that a disproportionate number of our young people want to work in the financial sector. Why is that? I look around our beautiful islands and see the need for so many different services. In fact, it is truly mind boggling how many opportunities exist right in front of our faces. I can’t help but wonder if the entrepreneurial spirit is dead in the BVI! We can achieve ANYTHING if we put our minds to it. But all we do is complain about all the things we don’t have access to ~ yet nobody DOES anything about it!
When I was a young man, I decided that there was a definite lack of certain services performed by BVIslanders, so I set about to fill one of those holes. I was educated abroad, came back home and immediately set about starting my own business. For the first year, I had one client which barely paid for my office equipment ~ but it was a start. The business grew steadily from there and I have been in business now for 30 years. I am (by most standards) very comfortable, though the recession has hit us quite hard. Nobody ever said life was easy and starting your own business certainly isn’t. You can count on struggling for at least the first five years. But if you offer a good service at the right price, you WILL succeed.
Diversification is the only way to the top and creating your own position is a sure fire way to get started. Moping around because you can’t find a job is absolutely ridiculous! MAKE A JOB! Consider your own abilities, specific talents and areas of interests and get something going. Even if you fail, at least you will have tried and will have some job experience. Understanding how business works is a very important step in reaching the top.
Inj discussions with many of my sons friends, I find they have unreasonably high expectations for senior job placement right out of school! They are completely out of touch with reality. I blame this on our education system and our entire culture. For those of us who own businesses and built them from the bootstraps up, we KNOW what it takes to become successful ~ and it isn’t some degree you hang on the wall!
Determination, commitment, hard work, long hours, missing special occasions, missing seeing your son take his first steps because you were working, missing Christmas at home because you were working, not taking holidays for ten years, driving a beat up old car for 11 years, not buying your wife that new dress she wanted, etc., etc.
In other words, becoming your own boss means SACRIFICE. But the pay off is big if it all works out and you WILL be rewarded for your efforts.
If not willing to make the sacrifice or put in the long hours, then resign yourselves to the fact that you will always work for someone else and you may never reach those lofty goals you have dreamt for yourself. Life is what you make of it. Sacrifice now while you are young and can deal with it or be just another one of the 9 to 5 group who only know how to complain about your meager salary, lousy boss who doesn’t recognize your talent and your crappy, dead end job.
Lead, follow or get out of the way, because others are coming behind you and they will surpass you if given the chance. It’s all about self motivation and nothing else. There is no such thing as the glass ceiling if you refuse to recognize it “might” be there. Simply open it up and climb through. Do not take “NO” for an answer. If there is something you want, then go get it ~ but be certain you can handle it and deliver the goods once you are there.
B.V.Islanders are already in the minority??? Yes. This is a serious situation and what is our Politicians doing about the situation? Putting more policies in place to compound the problem. These people will be long gone when the same youth they so often talk about will be struggling to stay afloat in their own country. This is a shame! It is hurtful what our so called leaders are doing to the future generations of this country. I say OUT with ALL of them. We need a clean sweep. Young people, PLEASE send a strong message this election and take back YOUR country. These no vision people are destroying what our foreparents fought so hard to get for us. Young people, as the baygon ad says: You’ve got the power in your hands now. Don’t be fooled. Send dem ole cronies to siddung! Enough is enough.
This writer is so immature why not say our education level here need to step up a bit to equip our ppl who don’t have the funds to travel overseas to attend colleges and universities and to say more as soon as a young person grad from high school they go straight in the work world. Cause they want material things first instead of futhering their education go to hlscc and look at the number of full time students compare to part time then look at some the offices that these partimers work so how can they elevate with the minimum qualification
great discussion but lose all the venom. lots of potential for further discussion!
How many years ago did the trust companies first start coming to the BVI and how many were STARTED by BVIslanders?
I think that since first being established, the percentage of British Virgin Islanders in key positions today is pretty darned impressive. We went from having ZERO offshore business to quite a bit in a relatively short time period and our young professionals have begun to take their rightful place among the ranks.
To complain that it isn’t enough is just sour grapes. I believe we are doing quite well in the financial sector and as time passes, more and more of our own will rise to the level of their own abilities and natural leadership capabilities.
Why isn’t anyone ever satisfied with our progress? Are we all really that pompous that we believe we can and should do it all by ourselves and with no input from those who brought this business here in the first place?
Why haven’t many of our own who have become involved in the yacht charter industry? There is plenty of room to rise to senior positions in that industry but I can probably count on ONE HAND the number of young executives involved in that industry. Why?
Are we only capable of being bankers and accountants? If so, we really need to spread our talents around. What will happen if the financial services industry collapses? There is always that possibility you know! Where will our young execs turn for employment? Our young people need to diversify their interests and chosen career paths or we may be headed for disaster!
The author outline several notable points such as: industry knowledge, lack of specific experience and knowledge of foriegn languages as reasons why BVI natives are discriminated against. These are not items which you can use to support a claim for discrimination. This is just the specific requirement of the job, most of the jobs listed in this article are very specialized and require the same in larger countries. If you don’t have industry knowledge and you’re a BVI native, it’s probably because you didn’t care enough to learn anything at your previous jobs or upgrade your qualifications. I’ve seen many BVI natives go abroad to get high qualifications but come back and take easy jobs where they can leave at 5pm and take extra long breaks, etc as the other posters commented. As it is, the BVI is not a place to gain industry knowledge and in depth experience, they could have stayed in the UK or other countries where they got their degrees and then worked to gain such experience instead of complaining in artlces like this. Oh, and if you don’t know a foreign language and you want to work in a job that requires a foriegn language, too bad for you, bitching about it in a newspaper or in legco is not going to help. Go and sign up for language courses or apply to a job that requires English. As well, most BVI Islanders who could be suitable for high level positions do not have the attitude and personality for these positions, knowledge alone does not get you a job, all companies know that they can train for knowledge and skills, but not for personality.
I can see why the writer wouldn’t want to put their name to this twaddle!
Someone said: IF A PERSON BORN HERE CANNOT GET A JOB HERE THEN WHERE ELSE COULD HE GET IT? Do you have one for them where YOU are from??? All you need to do is TRAIN THEM and they will do just fine. They just need the opportunity.
So true. We have to wake up we have generations coming up and if we dont create opportunities for them then what will become of us? The same trust companies will pack up shop and go to greener pastures.
The writer of this article obviously has an axe to grind, probably through not being promoted to a position he thinks he ought to have.
Do BVIslanders make up 50% of the population now? I doubt it. Where does he/she get the figure of 25% of top positions filled by BVIslanders? And just how many positions is that?
Not everyone in a given population can be in the top tier, there are many lower positions to fill right down to toilet cleaners and garbage sorters. I am NOT suggesting that they should necessarily be local jobs, but everyone has his/her place in society and those with the capability work/study to better themselves and their families.
I would think the most successful BVIslanders are those who have set up their own businesses and become their own bosses, but even they may find it necessary to employ expatriates at all levels to advance their business.
This is such an old chesnut continually perpitrated by our politicians to curry votes with the locals and perpetuated by the antiquated ideas of the Labour Department.
The last statistics indicated that the local population was at 49% and the non-national population was 51%. I have not seen information to say this has changed. So your first statement is factually incorrect. BVIslanders are a minority in their own country.
How many of these companies are BVI owned companies? I would guess that the BVI owned companies have BVIslanders at the top, of those that are not BVI owned i would say some of those have BVIslanders at the top. Therefore there is a mis-proportion and more foreignors should be higher positions!
Further to that, what if all of these foreign owned companies were to pull out from here, how many BVIslanders will be out of work? How many of the foreignors that are earning the big bucks here will stop paying rents, buying cars, food, etc from here? How many of these foreignors in the big positions will stop bringing family here for vacations when these companies pull out? Look at the big picture people and really understand what is going on. You should al be grateful for these foreign companies and the people that it does employ.
I hate the way that with some (not all) BVIslanders and Belongers there seems to be this sense of entitlement. I’m born here, therefore I should get paid for that and others should take a back seat to me. Face it – if it weren’t for ex-pats, the BVI would have a struggling tourist industry and little else to show.
Ex-pats are the lifeblood of the BVI. From the English directors and the lawyers down to the Filipino and Guyanese mechanics, shop workers and cooks. Yes ex-pats take the best jobs, but they also take the worst as well. The jobs that the less industrious BVIslanders refuse to take because it’s beneath them and the jobs that they want but can’t be bothered to work for. That’s not to say that none do, because there are plenty of friendly, hard-working BVIslanders who have taken jobs doing something they enjoy but which may not necessarily pay well.
A job isn’t just something you show up to and then take your pay away at the end of the month. It’s something you should put your heart and soul into. Find a job that motivates you to succeed and work hard at it. Not find a job that pays you a lot of money and then sit around watching the clock so you can leave on time.
Ex-pats are hired in the professional arena because they do tend to have the best skills. Forcing unqualified and unwilling BVIslanders onto an international firm is commercial suicide for the BVI. What firm is going to risk their global reputation by employing someone who’s going to clock off at 5 and leave important work undone, potentially losing a client a lot of money?
The BVI as a whole will not prosper without ex-pats, and those BVIslanders who ARE smart, motivated and willing to commit themselves to positions WILL get them. If they are in fact equally qualified to a potential ex-pat hire, they will get the job. At the end of the day the firms do not set out to discriminate against the BVIslanders, they set out to get the best people for the job. If a BVIslander is the best person for the job, they’ll get them. If they’re not, then they won’t. It’s simple economics and common sense.
So if you’re a BVIslander and want a top job, then go for it, but make sure you put your money where your mouth is and earn the job because you’re not entitled to it by right!
@CRAZY!, IF A PERSON BORN HERE CANNOT GET A JOB HERE THEN WHERE ELSE COULD HE GET IT? While we might be entitled to a job. Opportunities must be created like everywhere else. The reality is we must have preference over those from other countries.
I live in England and even with a Masters degree , bilingual and 15 years relevant experience I am being rejected left right and centre. Sometimes I am told I am overqualified! I might have to settle for a MacDonalds job or just return home!
The system is set up to protect their own and if we cant recognise that every country has employment rules set up to protect thier nationals then we are in a sad state. We have to think of all those young people coming up. Even if all the qualified BVIslanders had to get top jobs there still are a few who are committed but fall short, we cant use the glass ceiling excuse because they are not quite there yet. We have to create opportunities for training etc. So the trust companies do have their coproate responsiblity. In the BVI , everyone wants to play by rules different from the rest of the world…. I dont understand this mentality.
@CRAZY Thinking,
If they can’t get a job elsewhere why should they get a job here?
What is your Masters degree in? Are you aware that England is in a deep recession and that employment prospects for anyone – English, European, American, BVIslander alike – are very poor?
If you have such good qualifications and experience, then you should have no problem getting a job on Tortola, should you?
Not every country DOES have rules set up to protect their own. The BVI is particularly backward in their treatment of immigrants and the gross protectionism that is exhibited.
@CRAZY!, WOW, couldn’t have said it any better!!! AGREED 10000%%%%!!!!!!!!!!
Bvi islanders, you know what to do. Try and attain the skills, experience and higher learning for the jobs that are out there. Only you can do it. By the way, not all BVI islanders are lazy, they can be hard working individuals.
Wow – just love these responses especially what Anonymous said – BVIslander or not should work hard and attempt to gain respect and experience – that will enable them to be the perfect fit for a job higher up the corporate ladder – NICE!!
NONSENSE! Linda Romney-Leue is CEO of Equity Trust, one of the biggest Trust Companies in the BVI and she is a BVISLANDER as far as I could remember! Selena O’Neal is her deputy at that firm and is a BVIslander as far as I can remember! The HR Manager at the same firm is a BVIslander as far as I can remember! Shonia Matthew, Manager at Midland Trust is a BVIslander as far as I can remember! Oren Hodge, Manager at AJK Corporate is a BVIslander as far as I can remember, I can go on and on but you get the drift!
Now, step back and look at the individuals mentioned above! They’re QUALIFIED and could hold senior posts in ANY of the major jurisdictions! They didn’t sit back waiting on a hand out, they worked at various companies in various capacities in the BVI and when the time was right they stepped up to the plate! YES, we have some unfair practices here in BVI like anywhere else, but to make it seem as though we’re being slaves again is TOTALLY RIDICULOUS!!! I’m a BVIslander and a Senior in the Financial Services sector as well! How you expect to sit in an office for 15yrs doing the same thing and then talk about you want to be Manager because you have 15yrs experience? LMAO!! Also, getting a Diploma or a Degree is not the end of the road, you need to actually KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!
You need to be able to assist clients in a professional and expeditious manner as the company’s business and bottomline depend on it! Business is not for friends and not about protectionism, they exist to provide a top notch service equal to fees charged and in the end, exists to make a PROFIT!!! Get over it, get with the programme, GET QUALIFIED!!!
@Real Talk, These might be inspiring examples but still the minority as compared with how many hundreds already in the finacial sector. YOu pointed to two who are managers but not senior ones. Find out from them( if they haven’t already tried) when they try to get up higher where their efforts land them.
@NOT SO FAST, The funniest thing is that we blame expats for this, but you prove my point, ask the locals who they rather work for whether a fellow local or a white/expat and THERE LIES YOUR PROBLEM!!! Do the MATH!!!
It is time that some politicians stop fooling people .An international business investor reserve the right to manage their own investment and to provide their own management team.The territory benefits from the employment created by these financial investment companies and their taxes. It is obvious that they have to get work permits for their expat managers .To use this for political means is cheap politics. There are other off shore jurisdictions and companies have a wide range of choices .It is strange how people who do not create employment for their own BVI islanders try point fingers at those making a contribution..
It is time that some politicians stop fooling people .An international business investor reserve the right to manage their own investment and to provide their own management team.The territory benefits from the employment created by these financial investment companies and their taxes. It is obvious that they have to get work permits for their expat managers .To use this for political means is cheap politics. There are other off shore jurisdictions and companies have a wide range of choices .It is strange how people who do not create employment for their own BVI islanders try point fingers.
Tell the locals to get qualified and on top of that produce quality work and work ethics. I have not seen a local with such qualities refused a top position YET.
Well I worked in the trust company for more than 15yrs before leaving to further my education. upon completion I intented to return but can’t get a job. everytime i apply for a position at the trust companies, they turn me down, but the position is given to a non-belonger most of whom are more qualified than i am. I have done my research but it’s all good. or poor country.
Thats so true even our own local National bank which is owned by Government is filled with expatriates on the top.
@anonymous, that’s because all you thief!
There are some intelligent and hardworking BVIslanders who needs to be given a chance.
I think that ‘motivation to succeed’ may be an issue with hiring BVIslanders. Arriving late to work, leaving early, long lunch hours, taking all sick days whether sick or not, not wishing to ‘go the extra mile’ in terms of voluntary overtime to secure clients and their needs: these may be some reasons why locals are not always preferred employees. Then there is the issue of getting rid of sub standard employees. The Labour Dept. makes it almost impossible if ‘Dem is bahn heh’
Your comments about BVIslanders are libelous and exaggerated generalisations. These are the tools that expatriates continue to use to keep BVIslanders from obtaining positions in this Country that they deserve and for which they are qualified. Not all BVIslanders arrive late, leave early etc. Often BVIslanders arrive early, do not take lunch, do not take sick days although sick and go the extra mile.
Perhaps you are an employer and all you can see is your bottom line and you prefer to pay expatriates as little as possible while working them like dogs. They complain silently but not publicly because they are on work permit.
With regards to “voluntary overtime”, who would want to sacrifice time with their family and children to build up anybody’s business on a voluntary basis? The law says overtime is to be paid for by time plus 1/2. People with responsibility do not have time to waste with “voluntary overtime” while their children, families and relationships suffer.
With regards to your comment about sub-standard employees getting jobs because they are “born here”, let me make it plain for you IF A PERSON BORN HERE CANNOT GET A JOB HERE THEN WHERE ELSE COULD HE GET IT? Do you have one for them where YOU are from??? All you need to do is TRAIN THEM and they will do just fine. They just need the opportunity.
@The Asylum,
Time and a half is blue collar thinking. Professionals do not get paid overtime regardless of the hours worked. This is what is expected by American FInance Firms with facilities which may be in the BVI or elsewhere.
I regularly work 60 or more hours per week not including travel time to and from my clients which can be an additional 12 or more hours per week. Professional get paid for results not by hours. Once the year end results come in top performers get bonuses equal to their efforts.
Professionals get hired based on previous results, if BVIslanders want top positions IN the BVI then they should finish their degrees from a pedigreed university then work in a top financial location, such as New York, Tokyo, London, Zurich, etc.
Many professionals hired for the positions indicated in the article work all the hours I just mentioned and also go to college for Graduate degrees concurrent with their work schedule. They may speak 4 or 5 (or more) different languages fluently.
@Rastarite, I think we use these as a general excuse all the time. There are SOME BVIslanders like the ones you describe. But there are even more young professionals out there who come from a strong work ethic and hard work is all they know. What about those people. We need to stop using the lazy, born here excuse. Those persons do exist but not in the Majority when we talking about serious positions. There are several Young professionals out there deserving of a chance. Look at the examples published weekly in another online newsite. You telling me all those BVIslanders highlighted became successful by arriving late to work, leaving early and taking sick days etc.
We need to wake up. At the end of the day there are a qualified BVIslanders in the work place who just need the chance to prove that they can take on a management responsiblity if given the opportunity.
look first at the labour department them is who issuing the permits for expatriates to take over these positions…..it all fall back on that fat woman at labour
well, your obviously not paying attention, as it is NOT Deloitte & Touche that are handling corporate side of Appleby.
Nor do i think your other comments accurate. As one of the largest trust companies here is run by a BVIslander, one has to question where you get your information. Sounds like you just want to whip up an upheaval, hoping you might benefit from it.
Sure, there may be isolated cases of “glass ceiling” issues, that is the world over.
But if you think rolling in late, leaving early, and producing minimal effort all day should be rewarded with a top level job, you need to re-think your way of working.
There is actually a need for properly trained individuals in some areas of the job, despite your not believing that.
These are private companies, and they will hire who they think can do the job best, not who should get it by virtue of where they are born.
Go get your education, work hard and you WILL be recognized and rewarded.
By the way, i trust you did not take the time to write this whilst being “on the job”
Please writer “discrimination lies in the advertisement itself” discrimination lies in you the people who limits yourselves to only what the BVI has to offer and not the global perspective of what’s out there. Most BVI employees just sit there and expect a promotion after being employed by a firm for 10 and 15 years and literally no intenion to advance themselves. On the other hand the many discrimination faced with BVIslanders at top positions is beyond humane, the sitatuation is best as is. Go learn a second or third language if you have an issue with the postings. You’re mentioning about Flax is his wife should run for politics not him she dictates. Since he’s a contractor what interest is firms in the BVI to him?
I completely agree with this article. It speaks of pure truth.
Why does it have to be discrimination? The international companies that have located here have grown to be so due to the respect of their customers and belief in having highly qualified individuals. Partnershiips and management positions are not easily come by for the majority of professionals who are employed for years within these corporations. These corporations could not hire anyone less than the best for their management positions and should not have to hire someone merely nbecause they are BVIslanders. If the person is not right for the job then that person needs to work on gaining the applicable skills and apply for the next position. I fail to comprehend the permeating thought that BVIslanders should have the top positions. Rather the most qualified should have the top positions and anyone else, BVIslander or not should work hard and attempt togain the respect and experience that may one day give them the advantage of skills and relevant experience that will enable them to be the perfect fit for a job higher up the corporate ladder.
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