“All the world’s a stage, 

And all the men and women merely players; 

They have their exits and their entrances; 

And one man in his time plays many parts, 

His acts being seven ages.” (Shakespeare: As you like it)

We hardly remember Robert Mathavious now and a generation is growing up for which the name holds no significance although at the HLStoutt Community College there is such a thing as the Robert Mathavious Institute, “... a centre of excellence in education and training in the financial services industry.” 

And yet, every single person that calls BVI home has a standard of living that is due, in no small measure, to Robert’s stewardship in these Virgin Islands.

For a period that spanned over two decades, from 1977 when Robert became Financial Secretary until 2020 when he retired as Managing Director of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) that he set up, he was widely known as the man with the Midas touch.

Everything he touched turned to gold and BVI, in its heyday of prosperity, became the envy of its neighbours and a household word in many Caribbean countries even amongst those nationals who would never have condescended to live on small islands.  And yet, they are here.

He kept company with the financial wizards of the world and was confident and comfortable in, even, the most powerful of boardrooms.  He was a fixture at policy meetings with regional and international governments; He conversed with politicians of all hue and with university professors.

Impressed by his reach and his regional and international contributions to organizations like the OECS, CARICOM; EU, IMF, CFATF, FATF and many others, the University of the West Indies awarded him an honorary doctorate degree in 2018.

But Robert’s influence was also felt at home.  He was a speaker in demand and his presence improved the status of any gathering of which he was a part.

The direct benefit of his work was that money flowed into the Treasury at such an alarming rate that it attracted the notice of the overlords and caused a slow but deliberate tightening of the screws instead of the mild indifference that was the order of the day.

Law Firms started to pop up like weeds in the BVI and British lawyers and those from other countries in the Caribbean, beat a path to the sailing capital of the world, one of the most beautiful gems on the planet.

For BVI with its minuscule 60 square miles spread across as many islands, rocks and cays had become a player on the stage of the international community with hundreds of thousands of international business companies registered here.

In drawing rooms across the world and at social gatherings, the height of conversation, at times, centered on whether the individuals had a BVI (company).

In the Territory, scholarships flowed freely in those days and educational opportunities abounded for the advancement of BVIslanders.  Infrastructural improvements were planned and made but the speed of the growth of the economy introduced its own challenges.

Of course, the “gravy train” also materialized and set off under full steam.

But, despite his success, Robert was a humble man; a gentle giant.  He had his mother’s illness to thank for that, and, of course, his grandmother’s prayers.  His parents were strong on integrity.  They taught by example and the lessons they drew from the lives of other families.

And the man who ‘walked with kings’ never lost the common touch.  He helped many to achieve their educational goals even at personal sacrifice and his advice was sought throughout the length and breadth of the BVI.

“Sure and Steadfast.”  That was the motto of the Boys Brigade; and one that he adopted as a member of that organization.  He took it seriously.  

Academically, Robert was a high achiever at UWI, although at the BVI High School (now Elmore Stoutt High School) his academic standing was unimpressive in the eyes of his teachers.

He graduated from UWI in 1977; In academics, with an Economics Degree; In life skills, as a  proven leader and skilled speaker.  From 1991 to 1993 he, once again, darkened the doorways of academia; This time at Georgetown University in Washington DC, from which he emerged with an MBA.

He had a phenomenal memory; Photographic, some would say; and it stood him in good stead.

He is a serious comic and can produce the funniest replica of any scene he has ever witnessed.  And although no one would guess it today, he was a track athlete who ran like the wind.

But his contributions to the Territory would cost him dearly.  He had his first dance with that silent killer, hypertension, in 1983 as co-liquidator for the failed Merchants and Mariners Bank.  The losses to BVI people were immense.  Pensions, savings, property, livelihood.

Many visited him in his home seeking help that he could not give and that took its toll.  For although Mathavious was radical in his youth, having been a member of the ‘Festival Heist’ led by, no less a person than Mrs. Eileene Lucia Parsons, he could not abide the sufferings of people he knew, respected and cared about.

(The heist relieved the former management of the BVI festival committee of their charge in favour of this upstart and fledgling group.)

And also, as a member of what Ms Parsons branded ‘The Kitchen Cabinet,’ a group of Yuppies that met regularly on Skelton Corner in Road Town, ideas flew by the dozens regarding BVI governance issues.

Notwithstanding, the stresses of being Deputy FS at a time when the bank was failing compounded by the inaction of politicians, some being Board Members for the Bank; And given their self-interest, disregard of the advice of officials and an unwillingness to work on the people’s behalf led, as it usually does, to suffering.

Ministers only became decisive after the death of the Bank Manager in questionable circumstances on American soil.  However, in the local version of insider trading, they advised their major supporters and constituents to withdraw their savings leaving the rest to suffer the losses that liquidation brings.

Politics in the BVI has always been a two-edged sword.  And the people have consistently been victims to those who have been dangerously powerful but popular.  

And then Robert became Financial Secretary and his health took an even greater slide which continued into his tenure as Managing Director of the FSC.

In 2016, he received news that no one ever wants to hear.  He was in kidney failure and it was only in that period that it was discovered that he was owner of a single kidney from birth.

And having to care for a young daughter who has only now entered the halls of thinking (university), he is not free to take the advice that Job’s friends so freely dispensed to him in his distress.

Nevertheless, he made a wise life-giving choice to begin with peritoneal dialysis.  That had always been the advice of Health Officials (steadfastly ignored) to manage the explosion in renal failure in the Territory.  

It gave Robert years of independence since he went about his duties by day and did his own dialysis by night in the privacy of his home, as he slept.

That extended his options and potentially, his life.

Now he is on full hemodialysis three times a week at the hospital while he battles other opportunistic illnesses but he remains positive and continues to freely share his wisdom and insight.

Perhaps one day the stars will align, a kidney transplant will be in the works and he will continue his advocacy on behalf of a Territory that has largely forgotten him in his distress. 

He must deal with the pain of that neglect because he knows better than anyone the brief period between Palm Sunday and Good Friday.  And who is he that he should have expected more?  

Luckily for him, he has an able caregiver in his wife who never leaves his side.  She is his health care advocate while his daughter is his real motivation.

However, he will say that his fighting spirit is due to his experience of God's faithfulness.  Since college, he is very committed to his walk with Christ and to his church.  He is entitled to such sentiments.

But BVI has left a soldier on the battlefield and we move on, shamelessly, to the next player on the stage whom we hope will improve our lives and our pocketbooks.

Still, we can at least wish him, Dr Robert Mathavious OBE, a happy birthday this weekend.  

For, we are better off deserting Fridays rather than those who have made such sterling contributions to the Territory and to our lives.

Happy Friday!