Archive for June 19th, 2013
Accountant to be CI governor
(CNS): Cayman will be welcoming a new face from the UK later this year when Helen Kilpatrick CB will become not only the first woman to take up the governor’s job in the Cayman Islands when Duncan Taylor departs, but the first accountant rather than an FCO diplomat. Kilpatrick, who does not have a Foreign and Commonwealth Office background, will take up her appointment in September when she will transfer from the Home Office, which she joined in April 2005 as the director general for finance and corporate services. She is currently acting Home Office permanent secretary and accounting officer and has a background mostly in UK local government. A chartered accountant, Kilpatrick has never worked in the diplomatic service or served overseas for the British government.
The official announcement was made Tuesday and the governor’s office released the information under embargo until Wednesday morning.
The first female to be appointed as the UK’s representative in the Cayman Islands, Kilpatrick has extensive experience working in local government. Before her appointment to the Home Office she was deputy chief executive and director of resources for the West Sussex County Council, where she was also treasurer of the Sussex Police Authority.
According to the governor’s office, on her appointment Kilpatrick said she was honoured 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,” she added.
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 .
Kilpatrick’s curriculum vitae:
Full name: Helen Kilpatrick CB
Children: One son, one daughter
2005 – present Home Office, Director General (Finance & Corporate Services)
1995 – 2005 West Sussex County Council, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Resources. Also Treasurer, Sussex Police Authority
1989 – 1995 London Borough of Greenwich, Controller of Financial Services
1988 – 1989 London Borough of Greenwich, Assistant Borough Treasurer
1987 – 1988 London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Chief Accountant (Technical)
1986 – 1987 London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Group Accountant (Housing)
1985 – 1986 Greater London Council, Group Auditor
1982 – 1985 Greater London Council, Graduate Trainee (Finance)