In an official release from the Government Information Services of the Virgin Islands, it has been announced that the Government of the Virgin Islands has appointed Mr. Shea Alexander to serve as the Ministerial Special Adviser, effective April 21, 2022.
The adviser’s main responsibility is to provide support to the Junior Minister for Trade, Economic Development, Agriculture and Fisheries, Honourable Shereen Flax-Charles, in the areas of policy analysis, communications strategy, and research.
Additionally, Mr. Alexander will liaise and consult with relevant stakeholders, coordinate briefings, review papers, proposals and other subject matter going to the Junior Minister, and work with other ministerial staff to complete assignments from the Junior Minister as necessary.
“The appointment of the special adviser is manifold,” Honourable Shereen Flax-Charles told the Department of Information,” adding, “One of the key strategic objectives is to work towards establishing lasting public private partnerships that fulfill the Premier’s mandate and serve the best economic interests of the people of the Virgin Islands.”
The Junior Minister said that the new appointment has already resulted in major successes. She said, “In the first month of engagement, we have secured a significant sponsorship of scholarships to bolster the capacity of young professionals in the financial services industry.”
Honourable Flax-Charles continued, “This is an excellent example of how we are better aligning corporate and public interests and support the growth of businesses and industries more generally, so that they in turn can make a fair contribution to the social economic direction of the Territory.”
Mr. Alexander’s professional background includes policy drafting, programme development and communications at the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs. He currently serves as the Director of Orion Capital Holdings Inc., a business development agency; Consultant for Indigo Brand Strategy Inc., a brand development and brand strategy company; and Curator for Sekani Ltd., an online designer leather boutique.
Mr. Alexander is also a General Director at the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association, Board Member of the VI Recovery & Development Agency, and contributor to Business BVI. He has also presented on the OECS Youth Advisory Network, heading the Communications Unit with responsibility for development content and strategy.
The special adviser has a Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) in Applied Social Sciences from the University of York, an Associate’s Degree in General Studies with a concentration in Humanities, from the H. L. Stoutt Community College. He is also currently pursuing a Certificate in Strategic Branding & Public Relations from the University of California, Los Angeles.