Heads of the Civil Service

Discover the Cayman Islands’ Chief Secretaries, Administrative Secretaries, and Deputy Governors, and learn about the milestones they achieved in shaping and leading the Civil Service.

Hon. Franz  I. Manderson, MBE, Cert Hon, JP (2012-Present)

  • 2012 Introduced assessment centres for recruitment of senior civil servants
    • Orientation for new civil servants
    • Introduced Deputy Governors Award
    • Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles for civil servants
    • Launched Face-book
    • Review of Public Services Phase 4
    • Chairman of the Budget Delivery Committee
    • Procurement Review
    • Bill of Rights Training 5,300 public servants
    • 800 uniform Officers trained in human rights
  • 2013 Rationalisation Review

 

​​​44 Years of Service | Biography 
2012
  • Franz Manderson starts as Deputy Governor
  • Deputy Governor's Award Programme (DGAP) launched with Employee of the Month scheme
  • 2012 Introduced assessment centres for recruitment of senior civil servants
  • Orientation for new civil servants
  • Introduced Deputy Governors Award
  • Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles for Civil Servants
  • Launched Facebook
  • Review of Public Services Phase 4
  • Chairman of the Budget Delivery Committee
  • Procurement Review
  • Bill of Rights Training 5,300 public servants
  • 800 uniform Officers trained in human rights
  • 2013 Rationalisation Review
2013
  • Unqualified Audit Opinions issued for all government entities receiving audit opinions (first time)
  • First DGAP Employee of the Year Award presented
2013–2018
  • Budget surpluses delivered
2014
  • Annual Pedometer Challenge starts
2014–2015
  • Audit & Risk Assurance Committee formed
2015
  • Central Procurement Office formed
2016
  • Civil Service retirement age increases to 65
  • Expungement Board formed
  • Conditional Release Board formed
  • Internal communications function implemented in the Civil Service
  • CIG Sports Day starts
2017
  • Public Authorities Act passed
  • Office of the Ombudsman created
  • Annual Civil Service Employee Engagement Surveys launched
  • Civil Service recognised as Employer of Choice
2018
  • Whistle-Blower Protection Act comes into effect
  • First Civil Service Strategic Plan launched
  • HappyOrNot customer satisfaction feedback terminals launched
  • SRIU certification programmes begin
  • Secondment programme begins
  • Deputy Governor awarded MBE
2018, 2022, 2025, 2026
  • Salaries raised through COLAs, salary increases, and minimum wage adjustments
2019
  • Data Protection Act comes into effect
  • Independent Monitoring Board formed (oversight of prisons and places of detention)
  • Second Chances programme starts
2020
  • CIG Cares Community Support initiative starts
  • Wellness Committee launched
  • Parliament Management Act passed
  • Flexible working options adopted
2020–2021
  • Increase in government services available online
2021
  • 360° Feedback programme for senior leaders and management
2022
  • Mentorship programme launched
2023
  • CIG Internship programme digital application system starts
2024
  • Chief Risk Officer for CIG appointed
  • Refreshed Civil Service Strategic Plan launched
  • Civil Service College launches CSC Online
  • Emerging Talent programme launched
  • Protective Monitoring and Security Vetting for the Civil Service implemented
2024–2025
  • Budget surpluses delivered
2025
  • Sustainable CIG Sustainability Champions Network launched
  • I Am a CIG Intern campaign launched
  • Wellness Days for staff introduced (2 per year)
  • I Am a Civil Servant campaign launched
  • In-service death benefits expanded
  • Civil Service-wide Succession Planning Policy launched
2026
  • Term limits implemented for non-Caymanian civil servants
  • Updated discipline regulations commence

Hon. Donovan Ebanks, MBE, JP
(2009-2012)

36 Years of Service

  • 2009 - First Deputy Governor
    • Hurricane Paloma
    • Reviews of the Public Service (Phase 1-3)
    •  Implementation of the new bodies established under new Constitution.
    • Hazard Management Planning strengthened
  • 2010 - National CCTV programme started
  • 2011 – Prepared Government for implementation of the Bill of Rights
    • Developed Crime Reduction Strategy
    • Commissions Secretariat established

Hon. George McCarthy, OBE, JP
(2004-2009)

35 Years of Service

  • 2004/05 – Civil Service Reform
    • Public Service Management Law (PMSL) passed
    •  Portfolio of the Civil Service/ Civil Service Appeals Commission created.
    •  Quincentennial Celebrations
    • Cayman Prepared website launched
  • 2007 – Civil Service College opened
    •  The Governor’s Five Star Award for Customer (Service) Excellence (F.A.C.E.) was launched.
    •  Hazard Management Cayman Islands formed
    • Public Service Management Law introduced
  • 2008- Retroactive 3.2% cost of living increase given to civil servants
  • 2009 - Government agencies to have in place disaster response and continuity of operations plans

Hon. James Ryan, CBE, JP
(1994-2004)

39 Years of Service

  • 1994 – Second Royal visit
    • University of Miami MBA programme established
    • 5th Ministry created.
    • 2096 established posts
  • 1995 – Job evaluation exercise completed
    •  New individual appraisal system starts
  • 1996 - Government Re-invention introduced
    • Review of the Civil Service
  • 1997 – Civil Service General Orders re-launched
  • 1999 – HRIRIS introduced.
    • 2813 posts established
    • Memorandum of Understanding with Cuban Government signed
  • 2000 – CIPD programme starts
  • 2001 – New Performance Management introduced
  • 2002 – General Orders
  • 2003 – Public Finance and Management Law drafted
  • 2004 – Hurricane Ivan

Hon. Lemuel Hurlston, CVO, MBE, JP
(1986-1993)

26 Years of Service

  • Post title changed to Administrative Secretary
  • 1986 – 1435 established posts
  • 1987 – General Orders introduced
    •  salary review completed
  • 1988 – 1784 established posts
  • 1989 – UNDP Management Training Seminar conducted for 220 civil servants
    • Salary review undertaken
  • 1990 – Management Services Unit established
  • 1992 – Title of Chief Secretary re-introduced
    • Hay Job evaluation system introduced
    • Orientation programme for new civil servants
  • 1993 – New performance appraisal system introduced.
    • Tent City opened

Hon. Dennis Foster, CVO, CBE
(1976-1986)

36 Years of Service

  • 1977 – New Administrative Personnel Regulations introduced.
  • 775 civil servants in the Service
  • 1978 – Re-grading exercise carried out
  • 1980 – Report on salaries and grading commissioned in addition to a survey on manpower and the organisational establishment of departments.
  • 1981 – 1,129 established posts
  • 1982 – UK Representative established under the Chief Secretary
    • 1357 established posts in the civil service
    • $500,000 contributed to the Falkland’s Islands Crisis
  • 1983 – First Royal Visit by Monarch
    • Salary review undertaken
  • 1984 – Personnel Training Unit established

Hon. Desmond Watler, CBE, JP (1971- 1976)

39 Years of Service

  • First Chief Secretary was formerly Deputy Administrator
  • 1971 – Need to increase the service to keep up with the development in the private sector
  • 556 permanent pensionable posts in the service including teachers.
  • Increase in salaries to attract better qualified staff
  • 1975 – Training made available through the UNDP and the British Technical Aid and Development Division
  • 1976 - Civil Service Review conducted