Mrs Clearlie Brown-Turnbull, right, a native of the Virgin Islands with fifteen consecutive years of management experience in the Public Service, has replaced Victoreen Romney-Varlack as Registrar of Interests. Photo: VINO/GIS

Established by the Register of Interests Act of 2006, the Registrar is tasked with documenting the financial interests and liabilities of elected members of the House of Assembly, along with serving as Clerk to the Standing Select Committee of the House of Assembly. Photo: VINO/File

Established by the Register of Interests Act of 2006, the Registrar is tasked with documenting the financial interests and liabilities of elected members of the House of Assembly, along with serving as Clerk to the Standing Select Committee of the House of Assembly.

The Registrar was appointed by Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, in keeping with section 112 of the Virgin Islands Constitution.

Valuable insight & experience

According to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS), on confirming her appointment, the Governor said, “Mrs Brown-Turnbull will bring valuable insight and experience to the post of Registrar of Interests, and I look forward to her being effective at improving good governance in the Territory.” He recognised Mrs Brown-Turnbull’s experience in management and her familiarity with the processes and procedures of Government making her particularly well qualified for the post.

Deputy Governor, Mr David D. Archer, Jr. welcomed the newly appointed Registrar of Interests, and said Mrs Brown-Turnbull has a track record as a leader and change-maker.

“During her time at the Department of Human Resources, Mrs Brown-Turnbull was instrumental in establishing the unit now known as the Employee Relations Unit which supports the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), establishing the Employee Award Programme, and other initiatives that contributed to the effective management of the Public Service.  I am once again proud to see the high quality of leaders coming through and to the Public Service,” Mr Archer said.

Mrs Brown-Turnbull holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Jersey City State University in New Jersey, USA, as well as other certificates in various educational and technical disciplines.

Mrs Brown-Turnbull held the post of Employee Relations Manager with the Government’s Department of Human Resources from 2002 until 2016, where her major responsibilities included advocating for her fellow public officers, formulating annual work plans, and generating statistical reports to improve management operations.

Victoreen Romney-Varlack 

According to the Statutory Instrument made for the removal of Mrs Victoreen Romney-Varlack and gazetted on June 3, 2021, Romney-Varlack had been "desirous of relinquishing the position." 

Both the Governor and the Deputy Governor said they were grateful for the dedicated service of Mrs Victoreen Romney-Varlack, who was appointed the Territory’s first Registrar of Interests in 2008.

In the 13 years Mrs Romney-Varlack served as Registrar, she was responsible for setting up the office, creating the Territory’s first Registry, and actively advised legislators on ways to make the Office of the Registrar of Interests more effective.

"Her efforts in this regard are greatly appreciated and well wishes are extended to her in her future endeavours," GIS stated.