Press Release 10 of 2026 - FSC Awards Inaugural Robert Mathavious Scholarship to Three Recipients

FSC AWARDS INAUGURAL ROBERT MATHAVIOUS SCHOLARSHIP TO THREE RECIPIENTS

Tortola, British Virgin Islands – 14 September 2026 – The BVI Financial Services Commission (the Commission) has named Ms Janine Abbey, Ms Rhema Richardson, and Ms Tameika Marshall Campbell as the first recipients of the BVI Financial Services Commission Robert A Mathavious Scholarship Grant (the Grant).

The announcement comes on the first anniversary of the passing of Dr Robert A Mathavious, OBE, the Commission’s founding Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, whose distinguished service and leadership helped shape the Territory’s financial services regulatory landscape.

Through the Grants, the three recipients’ tuition will be covered, allowing them to pursue courses in AML and governance, risk and compliance courses at the H Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) Robert Mathavious Institute for Financial Services (RMI).

Ms Abbey, Ms Richardson and Mrs Marshall Campbell were selected from among a group of seven applicants following a rigorous and competitive assessment process conducted by an appointed Committee of senior Commission officers, each of whom independently scored the applicants based on the merits of their submitted applications and their respective interview performances. 

The Grant, first announced in December 2025, was launched by the Commission in August 2026 as part of its commitment to invest in the people who will help shape the future of the Virgin Islands’ financial services industry. 

Applicants were encouraged to pursue courses or programmes that address current and emerging knowledge and skills gaps in the industry, including Trust and Corporate Services; Investment Business; Virtual Assets/FinTech; Compliance and AML/CFT; Risk Management; and Corporate Governance and Compliance.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kenneth Baker, in congratulating the first recipients of the Grant, said the selection represented an important step toward fulfilling the educational ideals behind the Grant's establishment.

“The Commission made a deliberate effort to honour Mr Mac and to grow his legacy even further after his passing and felt that one of the truest and most meaningful ways of accomplishing this goal was through empowering the next generation to build upon the stellar contributions that Mr Mac already made to the growth and development of the Territory,” stated Mr Baker. “The Commission felt that it was fitting to do this through the institution that bears his name today.”

The Commission remembers Dr Mathavious’ leadership and distinguished contributions to the Virgin Islands as it supports a new cadre of professionals through the Grant established in his honour.

Further information, including the full eligibility requirements, funding conditions, and other details, is available in the Grant Guidelines, which are posted on the Commission’s website HERE.

Annual scholarships, each valued up to $5,000, are tenable at the HLSCC RMI, and the Commission will continue to support tuition costs for three aspiring financial services professionals each year.  An announcement regarding the next application cycle will be published in due course.

ABOUT US
The BVI Financial Services Commission is the autonomous regulatory authority responsible for the regulation, supervision, and inspection of all financial services in and from within the BVI.

Questions concerning this Press Release and the Grant may be directed to:

EXTERNAL RELATIONS UNIT
BVI Financial Services Commission
18 Pasea Estate Road, Tortola VG1110
British Virgin Islands
Tel: (284) 494-4190
Email: [email protected]