About us

Barrett & Partners

Barrett & Partners is a leading chartered accounting and consulting firm in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Its origins date back to 1971. The firm operated under the international firm of Coopers & Lybrand until September 1992 when Lindsay Barrett and Adrian Sinclair purchased the remaining equity and changed the name to Barrett & Sinclair.

In September 1995, the firm joined the international firm, BDO International, and practised as BDO Vanuatu until 2009. In 1997, the local firm of Stafford & Associates merged with the firm and Mark Stafford became a partner. In 2005, the French accounting firm of ECA became part of our firm and provided the platform to provide the firm’s services in all official languages.

What we do

Today, Barrett & Partners is the largest firm in Port Vila, and enjoys a reputation for providing efficient, high quality service to its clients, both locally and internationally. Besides operating a traditional accounting practice, providing audit, consulting, insolvency and management services, the firm, through TIL, provides trustee services and funds and portfolio management to its many overseas-based clients.

Meet

The Partners

Lindsay D Barrett

CA (New Zealand) Managing Partner

Lindsay is one of the founding partners of the firm, and has lived in Vanuatu for over 40 years. He has managed the growth of the firm for all that time.

Lindsay’s experience encompasses all aspects of accounting, auditing and business management, but he specializes in trusteeships, offshore services and financial advice.

He has actively engaged in Vanuatu’s community service having been a Lieutenant-Governor of the local Kiwanis District, President of the Vanuatu Cricket Association, President of the Finance Centre Association of Vanuatu, and a Director of the Chamber of Commerce.

Lindsay is a New Zealand qualified Chartered Accountant, a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the International Tax Planning Association and The Offshore Institute.

Adrian Sinclair

CA (Australia) Partner

Adrian Sinclair has been a partner of the firm since 1986, and has been responsible for a wide range of audit, consultancy and business recovery assignments. Adrian’s early career was with Coopers & Lybrand Australia where, as a Senior Manger specializing in Audit he was responsible for the development of that firms methodologies.

Since he came to Port Vila, he has fully participated in the firm’s development and extension of services including strata title management services, conveyancing and streamlined audit methodologies.

Mark Stafford

CA (Australia) Partner

Mark Stafford has been a partner of the firm since 1993 when Stafford and Associates was established. He merged that practice with Lindsay Barrett and Adrian Sinclair in 1997 to form what is now known as Barrett & Partners.

Mark is the only ASIC Registered Company Auditor in Vanuatu. He also has a wide range of experience in Vanuatu (since 1986), Australia, USA, and around the Pacific.

Mark has been Chairman of the Finance Centre Association of Vanuatu from 2005 to 2011. He has been President of Vanuatu Cricket Association for over 20 years and is also the President of Kiwanis Club of Port Vila and sits on the Malapoa College Council. His involvement in the business sector and the community in general is highly regarded throughout Vanuatu.

Trust Company

The firm also established its own trust company, Trustees International Limited (formerly Vanuatu International Trust Company Limited (VITCO)), in 1971. This company is a fully licensed Company and Trust Service Provider with a special licence which enables it to handle funds on behalf of custom landowners and other clients.

Local Knowledge

Being one of the oldest firms in Vanuatu, we have acquired an extensive knowledge of local regulations, legislation, and methods as well as a close working relationship with government ministries, departments and authorities. We can therefore provide valuable guidance and introductions to potential local investors, who are often baffled by the myriad of regulations and unfamiliar customs and procedures.

Languages

We also provide French and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) speaking service in all areas of practice.