Lorie Freeman Appointed Director of the Social Security Board

Road Town, Tortola (March 2025) The Virgin Islands Social Security Board (SSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Lorie Freeman as Director.

Freeman’s appointment was tabled in the House of Assembly on December 20, 2024, in accordance with Section 7.1 of the Social Security Ordinance, and was confirmed by negative resolution on March 24, 2025.

Freeman’s directorship marks an important transition in the leadership of the Social Security Board, reflecting the organization’s continued commitment to strong governance and strategic leadership. Freeman has extensive experience with the Board and a thorough understanding of its objectives, positioning her to lead the organization.

When commenting on the Board’s confidence in Freeman, Deputy Chairman of the Board, Brodrick Penn, expressed that: “The new director will continue to utilize her numerous skills and strong competencies to help the SSB Board deliver on its objectives to sustainably manage and grow the fund and provide social protection for eligible participants”.

As Director, Ms. Freeman is dedicated to working closely with all team members and stakeholders. When asked about her imminent tenure as Director, Freeman said: “Social Security plays a vital role in financial security, economic stability and intergenerational equity and I am committed to ensuring that our system remains thoughtfully structured, properly governed, and responsive to the evolving needs of our contributors and beneficiaries.”  

About the strategic vantage of the SSB, Freeman said: “We [the Board] recognize the importance of modernizing our technological landscape to improve efficiency and enhance the interactions of our contributors. By leveraging digital solutions, we aim to make our services more accessible, transparent, and user-friendly, ensuring that all stakeholders can engage with us seamlessly.”

Freeman was appointed Deputy Director of the SSB in June 2021. As the Deputy Director, Ms. Freeman assisted the Director with strategic planning and coordination of the Board’s programs, special projects, and policy initiatives, while overseeing various departments. Prior to this, Freeman served as the Board’s Chief Financial Officer. In addition to 25-plus years of managerial experience, Freeman has notable expertise in the Financial Services and Legal industries.

Ms. Lorie Freeman holds a BA in Accounting from the University of the Virgin Islands and an MSc in Accounting and Finance from Southern New Hampshire University. She is also certified in Anti-Money Laundering and Compliance by the International Compliance Association. Freeman also attained a Certificate of Achievement in Social Protection from the Academy on Social Security, Turin, Italy.

Ends.

Notes to the Editor

The BVI Social Security Board has served the people of the BVI for over 40 years. The organization provides ‘social security’: a compulsory insurance plan to which employers, employees, self-employed and voluntary contributors contribute. The Social Security Board protects its contributors by providing a partial income replacement during periods of specified contingency.