Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Commission Mr Robert Mathavious. Photo: BVI Financial Services Commission

Mr Mathavious is being recognised for his stellar contributions to Caribbean development in the area of financial services. UWI Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne will confer the degree on Mr Mathavious. 

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE said Mr Macthavious has played an integral role in the development of financial services in these Virgin Islands. He has represented this Territory and the region globally and has indeed made his mark on the world.”

He added, “His contribution to that sector is significant. I congratulate him on behalf of the Government and people of these Virgin Islands for his invaluable service as he continues to lead the Financial Service Commission, taking the sector to an even higher level at this time in the history of these Virgin Islands.” 

Mr Mathavious, who holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics from The University of the West Indies and a master’s degree from Georgetown University, Washington, DC has been described in a UWI press release as “a driving force in the financial services sector of the British Virgin Islands for many years.”

After 25 years in the public service with the Government of the Virgin Islands he was appointed the first Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Commission in 2002.

As the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Commission Mr Mathavious is responsible for the administration and operation of the Financial Services Commission. His responsibilities include: the regulation of the BVI’s financial industry; the development of new service and product offerings aimed at developing, and enhancing the attractiveness of the BVI as a situs for legitimate cross border financial services; and liaising with Government and private sector stakeholders in pursuance of this objective.

Prior to his appointment he served as Financial Secretary for the Government of the Virgin Islands (1985-1991). During his tenure, he chaired an ad-hoc committee that developed the draft legislation of the Banks and Trust Companies Act and the Company Management Act, both of which were enacted in 1990. Mr Mathavious was appointed as Director of Financial Services in 1993 and was charged with the development and regulation of the financial services sector. Consequently, he was critical to the design of legislation to establish the Financial Services Commission, through the Financial Services Commission Act of 2001.

Mr Mathavious also contributes significantly to a number of professional boards. He is a member of the Financial Investigation Agency Board, the FATCA Negotiating Team for the Virgin Islands and the Tax Information Exchange Agreement Negotiation Team for Government of the Virgin Islands. He is a Fellow of The Offshore Institute (1990) and received the Rotary Club of Road Town Citizen of the Year award (1994-1995).

Mr Mathavious is one of 18 recipients who will receive this honour from UWI at their commencement exercises scheduled for October and November.  Six will be bestowed at St Augustine Campus, five at both Mona and the Cave Hill Campuses, and two at the Open Campus.