Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 10^th July 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Odessa Forbes as the Director of Culture within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.

Mrs. Forbes holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the American Intercontinental University, FL, a certificate in Business from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and a certificate in Project Management through the University of the West Indies.

Bringing over 20 years of diverse leadership experience to her new role, Mrs. Forbes most recently served as Training Manager for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, where she led organisation-wide professional development and compliance training for over 400 officers and recruits. Her extensive experience also includes culture development through the leading initiatives that promote local heritage and community engagement, ensuring that cultural values are integrated into organisational practices and community programs within the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

Before assuming the Training Manager position, Mrs. Forbes served in the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for over a decade, rising through the ranks to become a Police Sergeant. Earlier in her career, she also gained valuable experience in the hospitality sector, working as a restaurant manager, where she developed strong operational, people management and customer engagement skills.

Speaking on her new role, Mrs Forbes said, “I am deeply honoured and excited to serve as the Director of Culture. This role offers a powerful opportunity to preserve, celebrate and share the rich cultural identity of the Turks and Caicos Islands, both at home and with the world. As our society continues to grow and diversify, it is more important than ever that our national values, traditions and stories remain visible, accessible and deeply rooted in our collective identity. I look forward to working with communities across the islands to ensure our culture continues to inspire pride, unity and innovation for future generations. I remain grateful for the encouragement of my family and mentors and I embrace this role with humility, vision and purpose.

In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service H.E. Anya Williams said, “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Mrs. Odessa Forbes on her appointment as our new Director of Culture.

The promotion and preservation of culture is extremely important to our islands, as it not only honours our rich heritage but also shapes the identity and values of our future generations.

We wish Mrs. Forbes well on her appointment as she works to chart a new path in advancing cultural development, fostering creative expression and in ensuring that the diverse traditions of our people continue to thrive and inspire.

Congratulations on your new appointment, Mrs. Forbes!”

PRESS RELEASE 

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR AND HEAD OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 8th July 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Alexandria Missick as the Permanent Secretary of the National Lands Secretariat.

Ms. Missick holds a Certificate in Regulation: Theory, Strategy, and Practice from the London School of Economics in London, England, as well as a Master of Business Administration and a Diploma from Imperial College London. She also possesses a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Law in London and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from Nottingham Trent University.

With her extensive experience, Ms. Missick has served as the Director of Legal Services, Compliance, and Assistant Company Secretary at FortisTCI. In this capacity, she managed the organisation’s legal, corporate governance, insurance, and compliance functions. She provided strategic legal counsel, skillfully addressing complex legal issues. Her responsibilities included managing and negotiating complex commercial agreements, evaluating legislative developments and their potential impact on the organisation, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws. Additionally, she played a vital role in corporate governance, developing and enforcing governance policies, securing insurance for the company’s assets, effectively managing insurance claims, and supporting the regulatory team.

During her tenure at Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Limited, Ms. Missick served in dual capacities as both the Manager of Human Resources and the Manager of Compliance and Legal Services. As Manager of Human Resources, she provided comprehensive guidance and support to ensure alignment with the bank’s strategic objectives. In her role as Manager of Compliance and Legal Services, she oversaw a robust compliance program that promoted good governance and adherence to the bank’s policies and procedures. This involved conducting thorough compliance assessments, designing tailored training programs, and evaluating legislative updates to understand their impact on operations.

Before her time at Scotiabank, she worked at TCI Bank Limited as the Company Secretary and Legal Officer. During her tenure, she established an internal corporate secretariat office, developed relevant policies and procedures, and ensured compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, during the bank’s provisional liquidation, she supported the Provisional Liquidators by assisting with operational matters, including human resources.

Speaking on her appointment, Ms. Missick said, “I am deeply honoured to commence this important journey in public service as the Permanent Secretary of the National Land Secretariat. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact within our community by implementing innovative solutions and providing exemplary service. I look forward to collaborating with the talented professionals on our team and my esteemed colleagues throughout the public service, supporting their efforts and advancing our shared goals”.

In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams said, “It gives me great pleasure to officially congratulate Ms. Alexandria Missick on her appointment as the Permanent Secretary of the newly established National Lands Secretariat and to warmly welcome her to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service.

The Crown Land Division, which previously operated as a division under the Attorney General’s Chambers, now stands as a separate ministry with direct reporting responsibilities to Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier. This important restructuring reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to improving the delivery and efficiency of services within the Crown Lands Division.

We are pleased to welcome Ms. Missick to this critical role and are confident that her legal qualifications, extensive experience and strong leadership will be invaluable assets as she undertakes this responsibility.

As Permanent Secretary, Ms. Missick will have direct oversight of the following divisions:

Crown Land

Survey and Mapping

Valuation

Land Registry

We look forward to working closely with her as we continue to strengthen and modernise the land administration framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Congratulations once again, Ms. Missick, on your new appointment and welcome to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service”.

Turks and Caicos – Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 5^th meeting of Cabinet held on Wednesday April 2, 2025, at the Hon Hilly Ewing Building, Providenciales. All members of Cabinet were present.

At this meeting Cabinet:

• Noted the outcome or performance of the cost of living relief programme.
• Approved the new administrative mechanism for the collection of payment of share transfer duty/tax.
• Approved the development agreement for the construction of a resort and staff housing development for the Palace Company TCI Ltd. Hadley Investment III Ltd.
• Agreed to the terms of a settlement of legal proceedings.
• Endorsed the draft UK-OT biodiversity strategy.
• Agreed in principle for TCIG to enter into an agreement regarding financial assurances in relation to airlift to South Caicos.
• Noted the findings of the recent queen conch study and agreed to the proposed plan of action.
• Approved the appointment of the following persons to the Sports Commission Board effective April 1, 2025:

• • Two-Year Period-
    • Mrs. Desiree Adams-Robinson, Deputy Chair
    • Mr. Thomas Ewing, Member
    • Ms. Pekeira Brooks, Member
  • One-Year Period-
    • Mrs. Tamara Bassett, Member
• Approved legislative changes to the Magistrate’s Court Act and the Firearms Act.
• Approved the appointment of the following persons to boards within the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services:
  • Work Permit Board Zone 1, April 1, 2025-March 31, 2028
  • Mr. Marciano Williams, Chairman
  • Work Permit Board Zone 1, April 1, 2025-March 31, 2027
    • Hon. Emily Saunders, Member (South Caicos Representative)
    • Mr. Benmore Kennedy, Member
  • Work Permit Board Zone 2, April 1, 2025-March 31, 2027
    • • Mr. Addison A. Gardiner, Member
      • Mr. Marcusson Lightbourne, Member
  • Immigration Appeal Tribunal, April 1, 2025-March 31, 2027
    • • Mr. Robert Fulford, Member
      • Mrs. Desmona Belliard, Member
• Approved amendments to the Road Traffic Act 2021 and Customs Act for further submission to Parliament to remove the requirement for permits for the importation of vehicles and to restrict the importation of a criteria of Japanese vehicles over 5 years.
• Noted a report from the World Bank Group Global Digital Summit.

Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.