ROAD TOWN, Tortola, British Virgin Islands — October 3, 2026 — The Government of the Virgin Islands has formally opened applications for a new Financial Secretary within the Ministry of Finance, advertising the position with a base salary of $126,373, plus additional benefits.
The vacancy comes as the Territory prepares for the departure of current Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett, who has served in the position since 2021.
The Government’s recruitment notice lists the position at a base salary of $126,373 annually, along with entertainment and telecommunications allowances and an assigned Government vehicle. Gratuity is also applicable for contractual appointments.
Applications close on November 2, 2026.
Frett’s Long Public-Service Career
Frett’s career in the public service spans nearly three decades. According to the Government, he became a public officer in 1997 and has held several positions across the Office of the Deputy Governor and the Ministry of Finance.
His previous roles included Accounts Manager and Finance and Planning Officer in the Office of the Deputy Governor, as well as Policy Analyst and Budget Coordinator within the Ministry of Finance.
Frett began acting as Financial Secretary in January 2021, succeeding Glenroy Forbes, and was formally confirmed in the position in August 2022, with his appointment retroactive to July 11, 2022.
At the time of his confirmation, the Government described the Financial Secretary as responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of the Ministry of Finance, including providing strategic, economic and fiscal leadership.
Frett holds a Master’s in Finance from Glasgow Caledonian University and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Shepherd College.
During his tenure, he has been involved in the preparation and management of the Government’s budgets and broader financial administration. Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley recently publicly credited the Ministry of Finance under Frett’s leadership with, among other things, producing what he described as the largest budget in the Territory’s history and helping secure the BVI’s first investment-grade credit rating.
Guavaberry Reported Retirement Discussions Weeks Ago
The opening of the vacancy also follows reporting by Guavaberry Media several weeks ago that Frett was understood to have filed for retirement.
That report subsequently generated wider coverage after Frett, in comments reported by 284 Media on August 7, denied that he had made a decision to retire, while acknowledging that discussions were taking place and that a decision would eventually have to be made. At the time, Frett had already completed approximately 30 years in public service and had served as Financial Secretary since 2021.
By September, reports were again circulating about Frett’s anticipated departure. BVI News reported that he was preparing to retire at the end of the year, while noting that the Government had not formally announced his retirement.
The new vacancy now provides the clearest indication that the Government is moving forward with the process of identifying Frett’s successor, although the advertisement itself does not state that Frett has formally retired or specify a departure date.
A significant Ministry of Finance transition
The appointment will come at an important juncture for the Ministry of Finance, which has responsibility for areas including the Government’s budget, revenue collection, financial reporting, public debt and economic planning.
The incoming Financial Secretary will therefore inherit responsibility for one of the Territory’s most important public-sector portfolios as the BVI continues to address questions surrounding government spending, revenue, investment, fiscal management and economic growth.
Applications for the position close November 2, 2026.