Donovan to replace Lorna Smith

The board of BVI Finance today announced the appointment of Elise Donovan as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, adding that she has replaced Lorna Smith who served as Interim Director.

Smith, to whom the board publicly expressed gratitude, will return to her consulting firm.

Donovan currently serves as Director of BVI House Asia, which is the government’s representative office in the Asia Pacific Region.

She is expected to come directly from that position to take up her new role on October 1, 2017. The government said it will announce her Asia House successor in due course.

The newly appointed Donovan, in the meantime, expressed gratitude. “I am very pleased to be joining BVI Finance at such an important time for the BVI’s international business and finance centre.”

“We have a hugely positive story to tell with unrivalled expertise and services in a number of areas that promote cross border trade and investment, including company incorporations, legal services and investment funds. I look forward to promoting these both locally and internationally, as well as supporting our members maintain and build new commercial partnerships around the world,” added Donovan.

Chairman of BVI Finance Kenneth Morgan touted the new appointee’s credentials.

“BVI Finance is delighted to appoint Elise Donovan as Chief Executive Officer, and we are especially excited to have someone of such high calibre leading the voice of the BVI’s financial service sector,” he said.

“Our international business and finance centre has faced significant attention in the last 18 months. So it’s vital that we continue to promote, educate, and inform all audiences about the quality and value of our services, particularly following the release of the Capital Economics report. Given her experience and ability, I have no doubt that Elise will further strengthen our efforts in this,” added Morgan.

Donovan, in her role as Chief Executive Officer, will lead BVI Finance in continuing to market, promote, and manage the reputation of the BVI financial services industry.

According to the government, Donovan brings with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise, including having served previously as Director of the BVI International Affairs Secretariat, and as Executive Director of the BVI International Finance Centre (the forerunner to BVI Finance). She is also a member of the BVI’s Tax Information Exchange Agreement negotiating team… Donovan also holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Carleton University and Columbia University.”