The office of the Deputy Governor over the last year has been promoting and hiring Turks and Caicos Islanders in high-ranking positions within the Civil Service.
For the new year, we are pleased to announce 3 new appointments…
Vershina Forbes to the post of Head of Secretariat within the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development.
Forbes, a former Educator, commenced her professional journey in 2008 within the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service, initially contributing to the Department of Statistics. Transitioning through roles in District Administration, her pursuit of a B.Ed. in Secondary Education Mathematics signaled a shift toward an impactful tenure in Education.
For over a decade, Forbes devoted herself to shaping young minds, primarily as a Secondary Mathematics Teacher. Her multifaceted experience in teaching coupled with various administrative roles within school management endowed her with a robust professional skill set and insight.
In 2022, Forbes transitioned to the core public service, taking up the role of Executive Administrator within the Ministry of Health & Human Services. Subsequently, she was transferred to the Ministry of Physical Planning & Infrastructure Development. In June 2023, Forbes assumed the acting position of Head of the Secretariat, showcasing her leadership and organizational abilities. This temporary role is now formalized with this most recent appointment.
Throughout her career journey, Forbes pursued continuous development, earning certifications that align with her professional profile. Her most recent milestone is the attainment of an MBA in Finance from Edinburgh Napier University, further enhancing her skill set and strategic acumen.
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams, in extending congratulatory remarks to Ms. Forbes stated: “I am delighted to congratulate Ms. Vershina Forbes on her appointment as the Head of Secretariat within the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID).
PPID carries significant responsibility in a government’s budget and capital program as it is responsible for not only facilitating but also the carriage of various infrastructure and maintenance programs throughout our islands. As Head of the Secretariat, Ms. Forbes bears the responsibility for the overall management of the ministry’s administrative functions. She assumes responsibility for the oversight of payment processing, communication with the Cabinet Office, management of various diaries within the ministry executive, record-keeping for the ministry’s human resources, and communication with executives in other ministers, departments, and statutory bodies across government. As a former educator, Ms. Forbes has displayed her talent in organization and management of deadlines and policies. We anticipate her talent being highlighted even greater in her new role.” End
Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs to the post of Director of Special Needs within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services.
Dr. Malcolm-Gibbs stands as a testament to the power of dedication and the unwavering commitment to enhancing mental health care in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Her journey, spanning across various pivotal roles and accomplishments, echoes a story of relentless passion and expertise.
Born and raised in the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dr. Malcolm-Gibbs’ educational ascent began with a flourish. Excelling as Salutatorian at the Ianthe Pratt Primary School and later as Head Girl and Valedictorian at Clement Howell High, she embarked on a remarkable academic voyage.
Awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, she ventured to Howard University in Washington, DC, earning magna cum laude honors in Psychology.
Armed with a Bachelor of Science degree, Dr. Malcolm-Gibbs pursued her soul’s passion for mental health, traversing the halls of the American School for Professional Psychology. There, she earned a terminal Master’s and a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) degree, driven by a resolute determination to bring transformative change to her homeland.
In 2015, she returned to the Turks & Caicos, joining the public service in the Department of Behavioral Health Services as a Clinical Psychologist. Her impact reverberated through the islands as she spearheaded workshops, addressed conferences, and broke barriers, fighting the stigma shadowing mental health.
Dr. Malcolm-Gibbs embodies resilience, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to fostering a society where mental well-being thrives. Her accolades, including the prestigious Youth Award for Health & Wellness, reflect the magnitude of her dedication and accomplishments.
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams, in extending congratulatory remarks to Dr. Malcolm-Gibbs, stated: “I am delighted to congratulate Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs on her appointment as the new Director of Special Needs within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sport, and Social Services.
The Turks and Caicos Government is heavily focused on providing quality learning to students at all levels, in all stages of life; this includes students that have unique learning needs.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has made significant strides in the progression and ongoing care of mental health concerns in our islands. This appointment further develops work that has been done as we now have a dedicated department whose sole purpose is to care for, develop, resolve, and advance concerns and policies for our students with special needs.” End quote
Dr. Virginia Clerveaux as the Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Governor.
Dr. Clerveaux’s journey in public service commenced in 1997 as a graduate teacher in the Ministry of Education. Her educational voyage began at Shortwood Teachers College in Kingston, Jamaica, culminating in a Diploma in Education.
She embarked on her teaching career at the Ona Glinton Primary School in Grand Turk, subsequently returning to her alma mater, the Marjorie Basden High School, where she imparted knowledge in Geography, History, and Social Studies before pursuing higher education.
Her academic pursuits led her to obtain a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Jamaica, followed by a Master’s of Philosophy in Geography also from UWI. Dr. Clerveaux furthered her academic prowess by completing her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Gunma University in Japan, backed by a Monboshei Scholarship from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
She boasts numerous certifications from esteemed organizations like ICPS, CDEMA, and FEMA, alongside co-authoring books and publications and creating the Disaster Awareness Game (DAG).
Dr. Clerveaux’s career has been characterized by significant contributions to disaster management.
In 2021, after nine years of unwavering commitment to disaster management at national, regional, and international levels, Dr. Clerveaux was appointed as the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the National Security Secretariat (NSS), spearheading crucial areas such as Maritime sovereignty, food security, cybersecurity, disaster resilience, and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).
With an extensive tenure spanning over two decades, Dr. Clerveaux brings a wealth of knowledge, diverse skill sets, and a robust network of public-private partnerships garnered through collaborations with local, regional, and international entities like CDEMA, FCDO, the British Red Cross, UNDP, and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
The Governor, Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, in extending congratulatory remarks to Dr. Clerveaux, stated: “It is a great pleasure to announce officially and congratulate Dr. Virginia Clerveaux on her appointment as the new Permanent Secretary to the Governor’s Office.
Dr. Clerveaux is an experienced public officer, having worked with various ministries and departments during her career. She has a strong track record of delivery and in her current role as Deputy Permanent Secretary of the National Security Secretariat, she has worked diligently to ensure the delivery of many key security initiatives. I look forward to working closely with Permanent Secretary Clerveaux and know that she will bring invaluable expertise in supporting and taking forward the objectives of the Governor’s Office.” End quote
We would like to congratulate you three ladies on your new appointments and wish you all the best in your new roles!
