Ayana Hull named head of BVI Private Wealth team and Regulatory practice

Harneys has announced the promotion of Ayana Hull to head of the British Virgin Islands Private Wealth and Regulatory practice.

Ayana has over 15 years of experience practising BVI commercial law and has been with Harneys since 2013. She regularly advises both corporate and private individuals wishing to establish, operate and invest in the BVI.

As part of her role as a key advisor to those undertaking large scale development projects in the BVI, she advises and negotiates on property acquisition and disposal matters for both individual and commercial clients. They rely on her detailed knowledge of BVI legislation as well her strong relationships with governmental and regulatory bodies. She also assists clients with the full registration process for ships in the BVI, including registration of new builds, acquisition and finance and charter and crew employment agreements.

Prior to joining Harneys in 2013, she acted as in-house counsel to the BVI Financial Services Commission and its regulatory divisions. Ayana is the current chairperson of the BVI Financial Services Commission Securities and Investment Business Act Advisory Committee as well as a member of the BVI Financial Services Commission FinTech Advisory Committee. She is the immediate past Chairman of the National Parks Trust and sat as the Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission from 2011 - 2014.

Ayana will be supported by team members Mishka Jacobs, Matthew Howson and Kimberly Seagojo. The team will be complemented by Hazel-Ann Hannaway, partner in the firm’s Litigation and Insolvency practice group, who will work alongside the team on contentious private wealth and contentious banking matters.

Mishka Jacobs has a wealth of experience and specialises in land and property matters, advising on commercial and residential acquisitions and disposals as well as commercial and residential leases. Her practice area also includes, non-belonger land holding licence applications, matters of employment/labour law and advising on probate and administration of estates.

Matthew Howson specialise in private client and estate planning matters including the creation, administration and termination of trusts and international wills and estates. Matthew also drafts wills covering BVI assets, and administers BVI estates. His work invariably has an international and multi-jurisdictional dimension. His clients include individuals and families, trust companies and family offices, as well as institutional clients such as banks.

Hazel-Ann Hannaway is a partner in our Litigation and Insolvency practice group focussing on contentious private wealth matters including contractual breach, property disputes, debt recovery, employment, admiralty, personal injury, trusts, contentious probate and estate matters, contentious insolvency, fraud, shareholder and corporate disputes, banking disputes, injunctive and discovery orders.

The team will be supported by the wider, global Private Wealth practice with partners across Cayman, Luxembourg and London, and associates throughout the network.

BVI Managing Partner, Tanya Cassie-Parker, commented: “I would like to congratulate Ayana on her promotion and wish her every success in her new role. I am certain the BVI Private Wealth and Regulatory practice will continue to strengthen and prosper under her leadership.”

Harneys depth of knowledge and expertise of the legal environment in the BVI is unmatched; we provide guidance and pragmatic advice to clients who rely on our ability to navigate inward investment into the BVI. Harneys has a deep and experienced team, ready to help businesses to establish and develop in the BVI and are well placed to assist with all aspects of the process.