The Governor is His Majesty The King's representative in the Cayman Islands and acts as the de facto Head of State. The Governor also has key reserved areas of responsibility which contribute to the overall safety and wellbeing of the Cayman Islands. These reserved areas are defence, external affairs, internal security (including the Police and Regiment) and good governance. The Governor also appoints the Head of Government and other senior officials to public office.

Mrs Jane Owen was appointed to the Cayman Islands in December 2022.

Jane was educated at Ellerslie School in Malvern, and Trinity College, Cambridge (BA Hons in Russian, French and German). She was born in Bilston in the West Midlands.

Jane married David Donnelly in 1998. He died in 2017. They have two children, Phoebe (aged 23) and James (aged 21)

Curriculum Vitae
 

2017 to 2023 - HM Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and non-resident Ambassador to Liechtenstein 

2014 to 2016 - Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)

2010 to 2014 - HM Ambassador to Norway

2006 to 2010 - Director, Trade, Finance, Science and Climate Change, British High Commission, New Delhi, India

2002 to 2006 - Director of Trade Promotion, British Embassy, Tokyo, Japan

1998 to 2001 - Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy, Hanoi, Vietnam

1996 to 1998 - Head of Mediterranean and Asia Section, European Union Department, FCO

1993 to 1996 - Head of Exports to Japan Unit, Department of Trade and Industry

1990 to 1993 - Second Secretary (Commercial), British Embassy, Tokyo, Japan

1988 to 1990 - Japanese Language Training, FCO

1987 to 1988 - Latin-American Department, FCO