Wednesday, March 10, 2010Esquire All the Way

Kaletha HenryGlenroy Forbes

Glenroy Forbes is listening to local people. Not through headsets on talk radio or behind murky, plastic windows in civic run agencies; rather he’s listening to BVIslanders when they seek legal representation in matters ranging from corporate and commercial, civil and criminal, insolvency and litigation.

Sitting behind an impressive desk in the corner suite of his polished executive offices, the illustrious lawyer is the co-founder and senior partner of Forbes Hare law firm; a practice he established in 2005 with attorney William Hare.

The paper and journal-filled room in which he conducts business, paints an image of a man who spends hours poring over documents, details, and decisions for the growing local and international clientele he’s acquired.

Merely steps from his current office is the Financial Services Commission where he, as Financial Secretary to the Government years back, was instrumental in putting together the predecessor nascent organisation – the Financial Services Inspectorate. Glenroy still counts it as an honour and privilege to have served in such a capacity and to have held the post of Financial Secretary under the authority of three different administrations. After spending more than 30 years in the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Education; and the Department of Labour, Bureau of Labour Statistics between the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, he says this is the first time in his life where he’s been able to work for himself. “Every day is a new challenge, but I must say, it’s quite exciting and I’m enjoying it.”

Forbes’s began his varied career in the BVI as a teacher in the late 1970’s after completing his education at the University of the West Indies in Barbados. In the early 1980’s he enrolled at the College of the Virgin Islands (now the University of the Virgin Islands) where he studied for three years before heading to Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland to obtain a Masters Degree in Economics. In 1986 he returned to the BVI for a post as Deputy Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, and remained in that post until he was appointed Financial Secretary in the early 1990s.

Towards the end of that decade, his course changed from a focus in monetary issues to judicial concerns when Forbes left the territory to study law in the United Kingdom. In 2001 he finished bar school and returned to the BVI.

Upon reaching home, Forbes accepted a post at Harney’s, the oldest and largest law firm in the BVI. After one year he was unceremoniously summoned back to Government as Financial Secretary where he oversaw major financial reform in the Territory.

Highlights, Lowlights, and Insights
One of Forbes’ most impactful accomplishments while working in the public sector was his ability to implement a computerised system for the budget and data. During that time everything in Government was controlled manually. In addition, he also spearheaded the creation of the Financial Management Act which helped change the way Government managed its finances.

Professionally, this high achiever hasn’t hit many roadblocks, but will admit that entering a new field posed its own set of challenges. Even though a large percentage of his local clientele have either come as referrals, or by persons whom recalled his persona in the Ministry of Finance, he still had to build a roster of clients, and establish himself from the ground up.

Now that he’s operating his own firm, one of the biggest stumbling blocks is finding locals who are qualified to fill the positions. Though aware of the number of BVIslanders who are studying law abroad, he knows many of them will have to gain experience before coming on board, including one of his daughters who has already expressed interest in joining her father’s firm. In a mild mannered voice he explained why hiring someone seasoned is essential. “I need someone who can take the lead in an area and then less experienced (locals) lawyers can then play a supporting role, at least in the initial years.”

Prospects in the BVI Economy
Forbes says it’s imperative that the BVI continue to strive to develop its financial sector, and though he doesn’t foresee a collapse in the Territory’s financial system, he warned of the ricochet which could hit these shores. “When the U.S. sneezes, we catch a cold,” adding that the BVI is not too far behind the economic bust felt stateside and eluded that we could be next. In regards to tourism, “the majority of tourists come from the U.S. and if they don’t have dollars to spend, I don’t think tourism will flourish.”

An area in which the BVI could financially benefit is international commercial arbitration. “If the BVI became a signatory to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, arbitration could be an area for increased activity. If the Territory was recognised internationally for arbitration, it could bring in millions of dollars. It’s a great time for the BVI to get into it. The BVI is already recognised as the premier corporate domicile. Therefore, in addition to the court connected mediation currently being offered by way of alternative dispute resolution, it would be a fillip in the Territory’s product offerings to combine international commercial arbitration.”

Matters of the Court
Forbes Hare consists of six attorneys in the BVI office with affiliations in both Canada and the U.K. While Hare primarily handles the international side of the firm, Forbes oversees the local component and continues to receive inquiries as diverse as contract disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, and facilitation with divorce matters.

A typical day for him is spent in court, operating his firm, and staying on top of his game. “Everything’s on the bottom line and it’s my bottom line. In the private sector, if you don’t do well, they’ll go to the next competitor so you’re forced to do it well, and you have to find good people to render that service.”
While maximising his firm’s potential, he also works on giving back to the community by providing legal aid to locals who can’t afford the sometimes exorbitant costs associated with lawyer fees. Forbes continues to demonstrate his public service spirit within the society that has given him so much by serving on several public ad hoc committees: he is a director on the BVI Social Security Board and Chair of the BVI Health Services Authority.

Oyster Publications Inc, PO box 3369, Road Town Tortola, British Virgin Islands, VG1110