By Kendra Okansi From GIS

Following a recent recruitment process, the Ministry of International Trade, Investment, Aviation and Maritime Affairs (MITIAMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Tasha Ebanks Garcia to represent the Cayman Islands Government (CIG) in the United Kingdom (UK).

The UK representative leads the Cayman Islands Government Office based in London and oversees the staff cohort. The office serves numerous functions to advance the interests of the Government and people of the Cayman Islands. These include representational duties such as facilitating interactions with elected leaders via Cayman’s All Party Parliamentary Group, and representing the Cayman Islands within the UK Overseas Territories Association; promoting investment in the Cayman Islands; fostering understanding of Cayman’s unique economy, heritage and culture; aiding CIG Ministries with external affairs in the UK, and providing services to Caymanians overseas (primarily students). 

Congratulating Dr. Ebanks-Garcia on her appointment, MITIAMA Chief Officer Eric Bush stated:

“The United Kingdom continues to navigate through the turbulent waters of Brexit and rejuvenate ‘Global Britain’. As a result, there are many opportunities for all British Overseas Territories. The Cayman Islands Representative and the Government Office in London will continue to be of utmost strategic importance to continue developing alliances and relationships in the UK as well as with the 54 nations of the Commonwealth – activities that create unique opportunities for Cayman’s people and businesses.  Dr. Tasha Ebanks Garcia is a highly qualified, experienced and capable Caymanian, in whom I have every confidence. She will be a fantastic Representative for Cayman.”     

Commenting on accepting the position of Cayman Islands Government Representative to the UK, Dr. Ebanks Garcia observed:  

“As a multigenerational Caymanian, and a former Miss Cayman Islands, I look forward to representing the Cayman Islands overseas, not just as a civil servant, but as a member of our community. Undoubtedly Cayman faces numerous challenges, but also has a myriad of possibilities through developing through closer ties with the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. In that context, I truly am honored to represent my country and my Government.”   

New Cayman Islands Government offices are being established in North America, Europe, and Hong Kong this year. Announcements of the appointments for Representatives, Deputy Representatives and progress on the opening of these offices will be made in due course.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr Tasha Ebanks Garcia joined the Cayman Islands Government (CIG) civil service in 2013 as a Deputy Chief Officer in the Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs and in 2017 was recruited by the Office of the Deputy Governor (Strategic Reforms Implementation Unit) to serve as the Deputy Chief Advisor. Formally trained to the doctorate level in psychology with a focus on marriage and family therapy, Dr Ebanks Garcia says that while she is not using her academic qualifications as they are traditionally intended, she draws heavily on her formal training as she carries out her work as a policy officer and as a facilitator of change.

Having worked across a range of policy areas including employment, tertiary education strategy, child safeguarding, adoptions, procurement and prisons monitoring she has had the opportunity to provide advice and deliver internal consultancy services to Ministries across the Government. She was instrumental in developing the Cayman Islands Government business case and project management methodology, tools and templates, has facilitated the delivery of training and development in those areas and holds internationally recognised professional certifications in those specialties.

Early in her career Dr Ebanks Garcia was a host for Cayman 27’s Daybreak and later focused on national issues as the host and producer for Cayman 27’s live television talk show “Let’s Talk to the Experts”. A former therapist at the Wellness Centre, Dr. Ebanks Garcia worked with at-risk youth facilitating the Passport2Success programme while balancing a client caseload that primarily focused on children and families.

Most recently she led the work to develop and operationalise the Travel Cayman Programme which utilises innovative technology and enhanced safety protocols to enable travel into the Cayman Islands during COVID-19.