Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), left, has confirmed that former House of Assembly (HoA) Speaker and Businessman Mr Julian Willock, right, has been hired as his special adviser. Photo: GIS/Team of Reporters

The son of the Virgin Islands soil, Mr Julian Willock, has served as the first Director of the Water and Sewerage Department, an Assistant Secretary in the then Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, and HoA Speaker. Photo: Facebook/File

The Premier was at the time responding to questions on the talk show, ‘Talking Points’, aired on June 29, 2026, on Radio Station ZBVI 780 AM. Dr Wheatley said Mr Willock was appointed following the passage of the government's ministerial staff policy and is well qualified for the position.

“He is my political adviser. That was decided following the passage of our ministerial staff policy,” Dr Wheatley told the panel.

In boasting about the qualifications of Mr Willock, who is an ancestral Virgin Islander, Premier Wheatley noted that Mr Willock is a former Permanent Secretary and has academic training in political science. “He's well qualified to hold the post,” the Premier added.

The Premier also noted that special advisers are common throughout governments operating under the Westminster system, especially in the United Kingdom where each elected Parliamentarian has a special political adviser.

“It might be strange in the Virgin Islands, but it's certainly not strange to the UK and the Westminster system,” he said.

Mr Willock, who was a guest on Talking Points the week before, declined to say whether he had accepted the position but instead said it was a matter for the Premier to say who he had hired.

Following protocol, Mr Willock said he would allow the Premier to make any announcement regarding his appointment. It is believed that Mr Willock is one of other advisers retained by the Premier.

Well qualified

The businessman is no stranger to the public sector as he served as the first Director of the Water and Sewerage Department, an Assistant Secretary in the then Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, and HoA Speaker.

Mr Willock holds Bachelor's and Master’s Degrees in Political Science and Economics with a concentration in International Relations. He also has a certificate in Public Administration from the University of the West Indies.

He has worked in Buffalo, NY, New York City and in Corporate America, and both in the private and public sectors in the Virgin Islands. He also owns and runs a Marketing and Consulting Firm where he is sought after locally, regionally and internationally, along with being the owner of many other small businesses.

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