Melissa Brewley Named Information Commissioner
The Government of the Virgin Islands announced on June 9, 2026, that Melissa K. Brewley has been appointed Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act, 2021 (VINO). Local reporting by Guavaberry adds that her appointment is effective 11 May 2026 and details her recent service as in-house counsel at the Virgin Islands International Tax Authority.
The Government of the Virgin Islands announced on June 9, 2026, that Melissa K. Brewley has been appointed Information Commissioner under the Territory’s Data Protection Act, 2021 (VINO). Local reporting from Guavaberry confirms the appointment is effective 11 May 2026 and provides additional details about her background and recent duties.
Brewley is a qualified attorney with more than five years of experience in legal work, regulatory compliance and international tax cooperation within the Virgin Islands. She most recently served as In-House Counsel at the Virgin Islands International Tax Authority (ITA), where she provided legal support on intergovernmental agreements, ensured compliance with confidentiality and data protection obligations, and contributed to drafting and amending legislation to align the Territory with international standards set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (Guavaberry; VINO).
Earlier in her career Brewley worked as Crown Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), representing the Crown at multiple court levels, engaging in legislative drafting focused on criminal justice and human rights, and participating in public legal education initiatives (Guavaberry; VINO).
She also served as a Junior Corporate Incorporator Administrator at Trident Trust BVI Limited and has been a member of several committees, including the Sexual Offences Committee within the ODPP and the ITA Disaster Preparedness Action Committee (Guavaberry; VINO). Brewley holds a Bachelor of Laws from Cardiff University and a Legal Professional Training Postgraduate Diploma from City Law School in London.
She has completed specialist training in confidentiality and data safeguards under the Global Forum framework, which complements the technical aspects of her new regulatory role (Guavaberry; VINO). As Information Commissioner, Brewley will monitor and enforce compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2021 by public and private bodies; receive and investigate complaints about alleged breaches of data protection principles; develop and deliver educational programmes to raise public awareness; and advise on legislative, administrative and procedural reforms to strengthen the Territory’s data protection framework (VINO; Guavaberry).
These responsibilities are central to ensuring that personal data held in the BVI is processed lawfully, fairly, transparently and securely. Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt-Igwe, described the appointment as an important step for the Government of the Virgin Islands, noting that the presence of a dedicated Commissioner will support enforcement and raise standards in the handling of personal data for residents and businesses (VINO; Guavaberry).
Brewley said she is honoured to serve and expressed commitment to providing independent oversight, promoting compliance, raising awareness of privacy rights and assisting public and private bodies in meeting their obligations (VINO; Guavaberry). For BVI residents and businesses, Brewley’s appointment signals stronger oversight of data privacy and a clearer route for complaints and enforcement.
With her legal and regulatory experience, particularly at the ITA, the new Information Commissioner is positioned to support efforts to align local practices with evolving international data protection standards.
Primary source: VINO