Governor David Dacre Pearey was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II under section 3(1) of the Virgin Islands (Constitution) Order, 1977 on January 11, 2006, to hold office during Her Majesty's pleasure. He was sworn in at the Legislative Council Chambers on 18 April 2006, succeeding Thomas Townley Macan as Governor of the Virgin Islands. Gov. Pearey is a Foreign Service employee and a civil servant of the United Kingdom.

He represents Her Majesty, the Queen, who is the Executive Authority of the Virgin Islands. In this connection, the Governor is the Chairman of the Executive Council, where ministers make policy decisions about the direction and future of the territory. In addition, the Governor is responsible for the broad portfolios of governance, national security, and courts administration. These portfolios are managed through 11 departments, the Deputy Governor's Office, a statutory body, and a number of commissions.

The Governor's record of service with the United Kingdom Government is as follows:

• 2004-2005 British High Commissioner of Malawi, Lilongwe
• 2000-2004 Deputy High Commissioner, Karachi, Pakistan
• 1995-1999 Counsellor Commercial/Economic, Lagos, Nigeria
• 1992-1995 Inspectorate, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London
• 1990-1992 Assistant Head of Southern European Department, FCO
• 1988-1990 First Secretary and Head of Chancery, Kampala
• 1986-1988 Policy Planner, FCO, London
• 1983-1986 Energy Science and Space Department, FCO, London
• 1979-1982 First Secretary, Economic, Ankara
• 1979  Entered the Foreign Service