CIMA Defends Rowell

| 16/04/2009

(CNS): In response to what it has called "certain criticisms" regarding the appointment of Gordon Rowell as the new Head of Insurance, the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) said that the recruitment process was carried out in accordance with CIMA’s established procedure. The announcement of Rowell’s new position on CNS on Tuesday triggered a barrage of critical comments given the controversy surrounding Rowell’s departure from CINICO.

CIMA said that there had been nineteen applicants for the post three of which were short-listed and Rowell was the only Caymanian who applied. “After considering Mr Rowell’s skills, experience and qualifications, carrying out the appropriate due diligence, and taking into account all relevant considerations, it was decided that he was the most suitable candidate for the post.  CIMA stands by that decision,” the Authority said in a statement issued today, (Thursday 16 April).

The statement went on to say that Rowell has a wealth of experience in the insurance industry, six years of which were with CIMA.

“We have first hand knowledge of his capabilities and are confident he will provide the same high level of leadership in his capacity of Head of Insurance as he did when he previously held the position,” CIMA added.

The controversy however, surrounding Rowell’s appointments stemmed from his time as CEO at CINICO. Rowell resigned from his post at the time he was receiving considerable criticisms from the board over his decision to contract the health provider CareGiver which was in financial trouble instead of renewing the existing CMN for the policy holders overseas contracts. Although Rowell said the two were not connected, he tendered his resignation to the board at the same meeting that the board overturned his decision.

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  1. Anonymous : And No Option says:

    Sheridan,

    The sentiment as to anonymity is noble.  However for expatriates on this island there is no free speech unless we can express ourselves anonymously.  To say what we believe can threaten our jobs and the wellbeing of our families.  The inevitable result of restricting postings to identified comments is that the majority of the population of this territory would be silenced.

    Anonymous

  2. Sheridan Robinson says:

    I hope all will notice that I do not feel the need as a professional person to stand behind anonimity for the sake of making a comment. I will not get into posturing about Gordon Rowell  as I am in no way an expert on the subject and I have only ever heard  good things about both him personally and professionally. Moreover, he is a person who was never in any sort of legal trouble nor accused or charged with  ANYTHING. Obviously, some people have a misguided interpretation of what constitutes an innocent man. This mud-slinging and anonymous backstabbing is reprehensible. I think it is highly unlikely that he would return to an institution where he formerly worked unless his activities were beyond reproach and his relationship with former collegues was nothing but upstanding and he was welcomed back with open arms.

    What I will say is that I think itmight be time for CNS to adopt the policy that Cayman Free Press did a while ago in stating that they will no longer take anonymous postings. There is quite a difference between the journalistic integrity of a top notch news site and a blog. If you are not man (or woman) enough to stand behind your comments then I suggest you simply leave them at your hairdressers where all the other gossip of the day seems to take place.

  3. Anonymous says:

    I am from the school of thought where it does not matter your skin color nationality who you are married to etc but simply are you the best qualified person for the job and have the best interest of the Cayman Islands at the forefront of all your decisions. I do not know Mr Rowell but I assume the latter is a resounding YES however I have my concerns about the former. Is he the best qualified person for the job?

    I googled the following from the Caymanian Compass The first is a direct quote from Mr Rowell

    **********************************************************

    If I had of done, I think we would be profitable at the moment,” he told a Finance Committee meeting. “Had I managed to change the fee structure on a few contracts, we would actually be profitable today.

    “From my perspective, it’s not good enough.”

    ***********************************

    However, CINICO’s operating loss shot from a projected $1 million to $8 million

    ***************

    We need to get away from personalities and nice people etc and get down to it — was this really the best decision??

    I am not sure why he left CIMA in the first place but that alone causes me to raise a flag.

  4. Anonymous says:

    "I would also urge CNS to be more stringent with the quality of comments they allow. Perhaps develop some guidelines for posters so they have a frame work to know what is acceptable or not."

    I FULLY agree. Posters are not accountable and are allowed to say absolutely anything, without evidence, facts or information.

     

  5. Anonymous says:

    I love how everybody (public) seems to think they are to be consulted on every hiring, firing, promotion and decision.

    "I think the police should do xxx"

    "Immigration needs to xxxx"

    "Government needs to do better than xxxx"

     

  6. Responsibility with words says:

    Honestly, it is people like these posters below, bashing Mr Rowell (for being white, for not having two biological grandparents born in Cayman, for being more successful than they are etc)  who discourage young qualified educated *Caymanians* from returning to Cayman to serve thier country. And similary, from working for the Government or entering politics.

    Why return to this when we can work in any of the top companies and organisations and communities around the world – where we will be seen and respected and judged based on our talent and preformance,  and never have to face the unqualified bashing of the hateful sectors of the Caymanian public – whenever our names appear in the press – treated as criminals before even accused of wrong doing.

    While it is great to have open forums such as CNS comments to publically voice our oppinions on everything, I would urge posters to be responsible with thier words.

    These are people like yourselves who have wives, husbands, children, friends. social lives and future professionals lives.  Think for a second what this public bashing on the internet, that never disappears from the web, does to people’s children. When thier friends google them, and look at the comments that appear about their friend’s dad or mother.  Or when a future employer googles them.

    This is particuarly of relevance when it comes to those are in fact totally innocent of any wrong doing – which is usually the case. However their names have already been dragged through the mud all over the internet – because YOU felt the need to lash out.

    I would also urge CNS to be more stringent with the quality of comments they allow. Perhaps develop some guidelines for posters so they have a frame work to know what is acceptable or not.

  7. Anonymous says:

    The mere fact that he needs defending should be very telling.

    • Anonymous says:

      Your statement is sooo ignorant.  You are believing a rumor that has NO merit and should be ashamed of yourself.  The man is intelligent, educated, a family man dedicated to his Caymanian wife or over 20 years, what?!? you did not get your degree and work your way up so you judge others?  How shallow.

  8. sourgrapes says:

    You heard the man He a Caymanian ya nah! Go away bwoy  Iim a confirm in na di job, dats ow it a go in a we country now sa

  9. Anonymous says:

    "Qualified Caymanian" – the legal test which ensures mediocrity in the workplace.  Too many business in Cayman have to suffer the lasting luggage of someone who had to be employed because they were merely "qualfied" rather than good at their job.

  10. Anon says:

    This is like tasting spoiled milk, putting it back in the fridge and expecting it to be good tomorrow.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Why is it that only in the Cayman Islands this kind of slackness can happen? Anyone can come in and defraud us of millions and walk away free.  Are there no qualified Caymanian’s to fill this post? Are we never going to learn do we have to keep getting bite every time.

    Wake up people of the Cayman Islands!!!!!!

     

    • Anonymous says:

      He is a qualified Caymanian. Cant you read HE IS A CAYMANIAN

    • Anonymous says:

      Tried in the court of public opinion/gossip with no defense lawyer to defend him, a Status holder (spit) and his distinguished born Caymanian wife and family. The Caymanian way. So sad. Where are Pastor Al and Reverend Nick Psyches and the Ministers’ group? Oh, I forgot, they’re rooting out the "queers" in our society, except those in their own association, of course. Utterly pathetic. Let us hope the atheist Richard Dawkins is correct when he says"there is no god so relax and enjoy your life". These pitiful believers in stupid superstition will be like the rest of us-in the ground and nowhere else-but hopefully making way for younger Caymanians with more enlightened post Old Testament views.

  12. logicman says:

    he he he – this is good, they are defending the decision before the guy has taken the oath. Time will judge this one.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Did Not Expect A Different Response!

    Come On "We Have Eyes & Ears" this is not a communist Country Yet!

    And it is not if he is Caymanian, it is If he is competent to do the JOB!

    Track Record, Track Record!!!!Answer Nooooooooooooooooo.

    Caymanians in the light of Our Plight to Come, and it will! Remember who will be left here to fight our survial???? Think About it, remember Jamaica!

    Love You All & God Bless.