The ceremony is set for 1 pm at the House of Assembly’s temporary location at the Save the Seed Centre, Duff’s Bottom, Tortola, and will be broadcasted live on the government’s Facebook page.

Speaking on the appointment, Premier Andrew Fahie said that Rankin will be bringing a great deal of experience to the position and wished him well during his tenure.

“I congratulate Mr Rankin on his appointment as Governor of the Virgin Islands. He brings to the post a wealth of diplomatic experience in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and recent service as a Governor in our sister territory of Bermuda,” the Premier said.

He added: “On behalf of the government and people of the Virgin Islands, I welcome Governor Designate Rankin to our beautiful islands. My government and I look forward to a positive and productive partnership and relationship with him in which we will work together to continue moving the Virgin Islands forward.”

Speaker of the House Julian Willock who will be charged with chairing the ceremony also shared similar sentiments to that of the Premier.

“The swearing-in ceremony marks the official beginning of Mr Rankin’s tenure, and while it’s not an official sitting of the House of Assembly, I am pleased to facilitate the ceremony on the behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands. I wish the new Governor well and look forward to the good working relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government,” Willock stated.

Meanwhile Acting Governor David Archer, Jr said Rankin’s new role as governor will be vital to the partnership between the BVI and the United Kingdom government.

“The ties that we as a territory share with the United Kingdom are complex, and we value having someone as experienced and dedicated as Mr Rankin with us to fulfil the role of intermediary,” Archer stated.