PRESS RELEASE   

FROM THE ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMMITTEE

BEGINS 

The Anti-Money Laundering Committee hosts series of National Money Laundering/ Terrorism Financing / Proliferation Financing Risk Assessment Workshops for the Turks and Caicos Islands

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 27 May 2025: The Anti-Money Laundering Committee (AMLC) hosted a series of workshops from May 5-13, 2025, aimed at identifying and updating our understanding of the Money Laundering (ML), Terrorism Financing (TF) and Proliferation Financing (PF) risks to the Turks and Caicos Islands.  

In an effort to bolster national ML, TF, and PF risk understanding and mitigation, the AMLC is pleased to announce a series of multi-stakeholder workshops as part of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ comprehensive ML, TF, and PF National Risk Assessment initiative which is critical not just for regulatory compliance, but for national security, economic stability and good governance. The workshops held from May 5-13, 2025 were designed to gather empirical and qualitative information from local law enforcement, regulatory supervisors, private sector stakeholders, and related agencies to identify and understand the nature and extend of risks posed to Turks and Caicos Islands and by extension the global financial system from ML, TF and PF.

The National Risk Assessment currently being undertaken in the Islands includes an assessment of major proceeds-generating offences, vulnerabilities in the products and services of the financial and non-financial sectors, not-for-profit organizations and virtual asset service providers.  By engaging diverse perspectives and expertise from across sectors, these workshops play a crucial role in fostering a proactive approach to risk management.

"We are excited to launch these workshops as a vital component of our National Risk Assessment strategy. By harnessing the collective knowledge and experience of stakeholders, we aimed to strengthen our ability to mitigate risks effectively.  It’s not just about checking boxes or meeting global standards. It’s about building a system that works for us — one that is smart, responsive, and resilient." said Mrs. Kenisha Bacchus, Managing Director (Ag) of the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission and Deputy Chair of the AMLC who opened the workshops. 

Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE KC, Chair of the AMLC said, “The outcomes of these workshops and others that will be held focused on private sector stakeholders will inform our advice to the Cabinet on the relevant policies, with a view to strengthening the Turks and Caicos Islands’ legal and regulatory frameworks, and support the development of an updated national AML/CFT/CPF strategy that is responsive, targeted, and effective.”  

This month’s workshops focused on key areas such as the proceeds generated by corruption, human smuggling, drug trafficking and foreign-generated offences as well as sectors such as banking, real estate, trust and corporate services providers, etc. leveraging insights to develop actionable strategies and policies. Participants had the opportunity to contribute their expertise towards shaping resilient frameworks that safeguard the Turks and Caicos Islands’ reputation as a well-regulated, secure and stable economy.

PRESS RELEASE  

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR

AND HEAD OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE

TESHARNA WILLIAMS APPOINTED AS CROWN COUNSEL

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 2nd February 2024 - The Office of the Deputy Governor is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Tesharna Williams as Crown Counsel effective December 1, 2023.  On Thursday day 4th January 2024, at the Opening of the Legal Year, Hon. Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles OBE KC also announced the appointment.

Ms. Williams obtained her undergraduate degree with honours in Law from the University of Leicester in July 2018 and in Mach 2023 she was awarded a postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Law.

In graciously accepting the appointment, Ms. Williams said, “First I would like to thank God for bringing me thus far. I am extremely grateful and humble for this opportunity to serve in this new role as Crown Counsel and I look forward to a prosperous future. I would also like to say a special thank you to the Hon Attorney General and the entire Chambers family for their warm welcome.”

Deputy Governor and Head of the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service Her Excellency Anya Williams in extending congratulatory remarks to Ms. Williams stated: 

“Congratulations to Ms. Tesharna Williams on the successful completion of her legal studies and on her official appointment as a Crown Counsel in the Turks and Caicos Islands Attorney Generals Chambers.

We are committed to strengthening our legal capacity and on improving service delivery across all areas of the public service through the successful recruitment and retention of qualified, competent staff.

We are happy to have Ms. Williams join our team and wish her a most successful, productive and awarding public service career.”

The Hon. Attorney General KC said; “It is a pleasure to welcome Tesharna Williams into the Chambers.  Her journey to this points exemplifies one of perseverance and commitment. The employment and development of bright young Turks and Caicos Islander attorneys is a core goal of our succession planning. Tesharna comes to the post with a stellar academic record and has made an impressive start.  She will add value to the work being done by the international, and civil and commercial divisions generally, of the Chambers.  We are very pleased that she has chosen to start her legal career with us.”

ENDS

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS

TAMIKA SIMMS WILLIAMS APPOINTED AS CROWN COUNSEL

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, 4^th April 2023 - The Attorney General’s Chambers of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Tamika Simms-Williams to the post of Crown Counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers. 

  Ms. Simms Williams is a Turks and Caicos Islander born on the island of Grand Turk. Prior to pursuing legal studies Ms. Simms Williams attended the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and was awarded an Associate’s Degree in General Studies (Humanities) in 2017. She then attended the Oxford Brookes University and was awarded the Degree of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 2020.  She was finally awarded the degree of Masters of Laws (LLM) in the Barrister’s Training Course in 2022. 

Ms. Simms Williams was called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Gray’s Inn United Kingdom in November 2022. and commenced pupillage with the Attorney General’s Chambers, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands on 3rd December 2022 and completed in excess of three months training in the practice of law under the supervision of the senior Attorneys in the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Ms. Simms Williams, in commenting on her appointment, stated: 

“It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed as Crown Counsel within the Attorney General’s Chambers. I thank God for making this opportunity possible as I am honoured to serve in this capacity. I will continue to use the knowledge, skills and experience I have acquired to carry out my duties to the best of my abilities. 

I am grateful to those that have bestowed their confidence in me and I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities for growth that this new position will provide.”

Acting Governor and Attorney General, Her Excellency Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE KC, in extending congratulatory remarks to Ms. Simms Williams, stated: 

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Ms. Simms Williams into the Legal profession in the Turks and Caicos Islands and to congratulate her on her recent appointment to the post of Crown Counsel in my Chambers.  We wish Ms. Simms Williams well in her new assignment and assure her of the full support of the entire public service to continue to excel. We expect great things from her.  Congratulations!”