This was disclosed on October 7, 2021, when the Government of the Virgin Islands released some decisions made at the September 29, 2021, Sitting of Cabinet.

According to the statement on Cabinet decisions, a vacancy notice was published for the position of Chairman of the Social Security Board and the process of reviewing the expression of interest received in response to the vacancy notice was done.

It said the interview panel convened to consider applications for a new Chairman of the Social Security Board and, following the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Glenroy A. Forbes was appointed Chairman of the Social Security Board in accordance with the Schedule of the Social Security Ordinance, Section 4(1).

Cabinet then approved the formal appointment of Mr Forbes as a member representing employers and to be the new Chairman of the Social Security Board of Directors, effective October 1, 2021, for a period of three years in the first instance, in accordance with the Schedule of the Social Security Ordinance, Section 4(2); and “noted that all administrative costs related to the appointment of the Chairman will be met by the BVI Social Security Board."

The appointment of a new Chairman of the Social Security Board of Directors is for 3 years, in the first instance, effective October 1, 2021.

Public Service life

Mr Forbes, in 2017, was appointed Financial Secretary under then Premier and Minister of Finance Dr D. Orlando Smith.

He was the Chief Financial/Fiscal Advisor to the Minister of Finance.

Forbes also served as Financial Secretary from 1991 to 1998 and again from 2002 to 2005. Prior to those appointments, he held the post of Deputy Financial Secretary, from 1986 to 1991.

Mr Forbes served in the United States Virgin Islands Department of Labour as a Senior Research Analyst from 1984 to 1986, before joining the Ministry of Finance.

He exited the Public Service in 2001 and worked as an Associate Lawyer for Harney Westwood and Riegels. From 2005 to present, Mr Forbes co-founded and served as a senior partner for Forbes Hare Law Chambers.

Qualifications

Mr Forbes attained a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Wales in 2000. He holds a postgraduate diploma in professional legal studies and is a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.

He was appointed a Member of the Bar of England and Wales and a member of the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court BVI Circuit in 2001.

Mr Forbes holds a Master of Arts in Economics from the School of Graduate Studies, Morgan State University with courses in money, banking and public finance.

Ian S. Smith did not seek re-appointment

Meanwhile, Ian S. Smith’s tenure as Chairman ended on Monday, September 6, 2021, after two consecutive three (3) year terms and the expiration of his appointment.

Mr Smith, who did not seek a re-appointment, was also the Chairman of the Virgin Island Social Security Board’s Investment Committee from October 2015 to September 2021.