Cabinet has decided that former Accountant General Mrs Kharid T. Fraser being appointed Deputy Chairman of the Financial Services Commission's Board of Directors. Photo: VINO/File.

Mr Robin F. Gaul was appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Inaugural Board of the Financial Services Commission in 2002 and Chairman of the Board in May, 2006. Photo: FSC

The Board of Commissioners is the governing body of the Financial Services Commission (FSC). Photo: VINO/File

Additionally, Cabinet decided that William Gilmore be appointed External Commissioner.

The Cabinet meeting was chaired by His Excellency, the Governor Mr John J. Rankin, CMG, which was held at the Financial Services Commission's Conference Room where all members were present.

According to the post-cabinet meeting report released on Thursday, February 25, 2021, Cabinet “Decided: a. that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of the Financial Services Commission Act, 2001, the following persons be appointed to the Financial Services Commission’s Board of Commissioners: i. Robin F. Gaul, Chairman for two (2) years (6th February, 2021 to 5th February, 2023); ii. Kharid T. Fraser, Deputy Chairman and Member for three (3) years (14th December, 2020 to 13th December, 2023; iii. William Gilmore, External Commissioner and Member for two (2) years (14th December, 2020 to 13th December, 2022); and b. that the Ministry of Finance instruct the Attorney General’s Chambers to prepare the Instruments of Appointment and thereafter forward documents to be gazetted.”

Robin F. Gaul

According to the FSC website, Mr Robin F. Gaul, FCCA, was born in Norwich, England. He was admitted as an Associate of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants in 1967 and a Fellow in 1976. Before retiring from private practice, he worked as an accountant and financial advisor, and was a partner in the BVI office of KPMG.

Mr Gaul has served on various boards and committees in the VI Public Sector, including the Development Bank of the Virgin Islands and the BVI Electricity Corporation. He was appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Inaugural Board of the Financial Services Commission in 2002 and Chairman of the Board in May, 2006.

Kharid T. Fraser

Meanwhile, Virgin Islander Mrs Kharid T. Fraser, the wife of Third District Representative and Opposition Member, Hon Julian Fraser RA, served as Accountant General until she was removed for alleged political reasons by the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2011.

However, her illustrious career as a banker started in New York in 1977 with CitiBank where she climbed her way to become Assistant Vice President of CitiBank/CitiCorp 1991-1993

Her tenure at the Bank included Operations Supervisor 1977-1984, Operations and Service Manager 85-88 and Senior Sales Manager 89-91

She returned to the Virgin Islands in 1993 and joined the Government of the Virgin Islands' Treasury Department as Deputy Account General 1993-1995 and later Accountant General 1995-2005, and 2006 - 2013.

She also served in the Ministry of Finance as Financial Secretary Ag. 2005 - 2006

Mrs Fraser holds a Masters of Businesses Administration from Florida Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands.

She is now retired from active duty since 2013 but can be found at Save The Seed Energy Center where she runs the popular Hon. Julian Fraser Save The Seed Basketball Ball League in the capacity of Chairman.

FSC Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners is the governing body of the FSC and is among other things, responsible for establishing policy for the FSC and monitoring and overseeing its implementation; and monitoring and overseeing the management of the FSC with the objective of ensuring that the resources of the FSC are utilised economically and efficiently.

The Board of Commissioners is comprised of the Managing Director as an ex officio member and not less than four or more than six other members. Persons eligible for appointment to the Board of Commissioners must be fit and proper and possess relevant knowledge, experience and expertise in financial services matters to aid the FSC in the performance of its functions, the FSC website stated.