London Circle of Business Leaders Meets to discuss BVI outlook

Martin S. Lane, Raymond Davern, Edward Stone • Posted 08/06/2010 • Under Press Releases

Martin Lane and Edward Stone from the London office of Conyers Dill & Pearman and Raymond Davern from the firm’s BVI office formed part of the BVI London Circle of Business Leaders which met last month with Kedrick Malone, Director of the BVI Government’s London Office, to discuss avenues for growth in the BVI financial services industry.

The meeting focused on political developments in the UK and Europe, possible impacts of the EU Funds directive and an update on the BVI's Tax Information Exchange Agreements programme. There was also an update on BVI initiatives including the recent trade conference in São Paulo, which was attended by BVI representatives.

The London Circle of Business Leaders works alongside the BVI Government’s London office and the BVI IFC to raise the profile of the BVI in the London business community, particularly in the trust and fund sectors.

Conyers has been actively involved in promoting the BVI in London since 1998, when Martin Lane established the firm’s London office. In addition to its membership in the London Circle of Business Leaders, Conyers hosted its 2nd Annual London Trust Forum last month, which featured Raymond Davern, Head of Conyers’ new trust practice in the BVI, who was part of a panel of lawyers discussing trusts and trust litigation across the BVI, Cayman Islands and Bermuda. The forum was hosted by Edward Stone, Head of Trust & Private Client in London, who provides trust law advice from London.

Conyers’ BVI office also recently hired litigation lawyer Dawn Smith, who was previously director of the BVI Government’s London office, acting as the BVI’s official representative in the UK and Europe.