Female Accountant Appointed Cayman Governor
A female accountant has been named as the new Governor of the Cayman Islands. In addition to becoming the first woman to hold the position, the new appointee is an accountant rather than a diplomat.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office announced today [June 19] that Helen Kilpatrick has been appointed Governor in succession to Duncan Taylor. She will take up her appointment during September 2013.
The official statement said, “Mrs Kilpatrick joined the Home Office in April 2005 as the Director General for Finance and Corporate Services. For a period during 2012 and 2013 she was the acting Home Office Permanent Secretary and Accounting Officer.
“Mrs Kilpatrick is a chartered accountant, and a member of the CIPFA Council. She is also a Board and Finance Committee Member of Chichester Festival Theatre. Mrs Kilpatrick will transfer from the Home Office to the FCO for this appointment.:
Mrs Kilpatrick said, “I am honoured and delighted to be appointed Governor of the Cayman Islands. I look forward to working in a constructive partnership with the newly elected government to ensure a safe, successful and sustainable future for the Cayman Islands”.
A news report from the Cayman News Service said, “A chartered accountant, Kilpatrick has never worked in the diplomatic service or served overseas for the British government.
“There was no other comment from the FCO or any further explanation for the unusual choice but it clearly indicates the UK’s desire to have a financial expert overseeing the UK’s interest in Cayman rather than one skilled in the art of diplomacy.”
The Compass Cayman said, “And in case anyone doubted the UK’s commitment to repair the Cayman Islands’ financial situation, Mrs. Kilpatrick is a chartered public accountant.”
Six months ago, Juliana O’Connor Connolly became the first female Premier of the Cayman Islands after former Premier McKeeva Bush was ousted in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence after he was arrested on suspicion of corruption.
She has a very large job ahead.
Your headline “Female accountant appointed.. ” is dreadful. Why is it that is is made out to be a big deal that’s she’s a woman?
Thanks for your comment…
It’s the first time Cayman has had a female hold the position. As you probably know Bermuda has only ever had male Governors appointed. Some would consider the fact the UK has appointed a female something to note, others may not, but that is what the comments are for..to express your views.
Patricia
I don’t see anything wrong with Bernews headline,it’s direct and to the point and quite the norm for any World Media Reporting.
Would you prefer:-
Cayman’s New Governor wears heels!
Grubster is probably a man.
It really shouldn’t matter of what gender the new Governor is providing they are capable of doing the, “job”
Matters to people who don’t like sexism. I always wondered why we only have male Governors in Bermuda, seems sexist.