William Boyd McCleary

Who is William Boyd McCleary?

Boyd McCleary CMG CVO is a member of HM Diplomatic Service originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland. In September 2010, he was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the British government, to represent the Queen as Governor of the British Virgin Islands, and to act as the de facto head of state in the Territory. Prior to his appointment as Governor, McCleary served as High Commissioner to Malaysia from 2006 to 2010.

Shortly after his arrival in the British Virgin Islands, the territory was damaged by Hurricane Earl. Although at the time of his appointment there was a degree of tension over constitutional matters between the United Kingdom and the British Virgin Islands, McCleary won plaudits in the local press for his deft handling of the situation.