Cayman Finance recently hosted their second annual New York Breakfast Briefing event at the Harvard Club of New York City. This event brought together over 160 attendees, 100 of those being key business contacts and partners from leading New York firms and institutions, along with Cayman Islands Government officials and Cayman Islands financial services industry representatives.

This was the first event hosted by Cayman Finance since the appointment of new CEO, Mr Jude Scott, who said he was delighted at the outcome of the event both in numbers and feedback received from attendees. “It is imperative we remain accessible to our key stakeholders and proactive in promoting the advancements within Cayman – both at a government and private sector level – that keeps us at the forefront of the global financial services industry, so an event like this is invaluable ” he said.

“Cayman Finance and the Ministry of Financial Services have collaborated closely during the planning of this event to ensure we jointly convey to our key overseas stakeholders that the Cayman Islands financial services industry values the input of our clients and business partners to enable us to deliver innovative products and services”, Mr Scott said.

During opening remarks at the briefing Mr Scott noted that it was “important for our industry to be committed to ensuring our New York business partners are experiencing excellence in all their dealings with the Cayman Islands – at every level, and within both the private and public sector while having a constant focus on appropriate legislative and regulatory balance.”

Featured speakers at the event included Hon Wayne Panton, Minister for Financial Services and Jackie Doak, COO of Dart Enterprises.

Minister Panton’s speech addressed achievements following the last such event in New York, and new and upcoming legislation being developed to provide new offerings and advantages to industry partners and their clients.

“Cayman Finance, which represents our jurisdiction’s financial services industry, has a strong partnership with Government. We are pleased to have industry working closely with government on the development of further legislation, and assisting with an additional legal draftsman dedicated to financial services,” Minister Panton said.

“This is an excellent development, because it will accelerate the good work we are undertaking to further strengthen our legislative and regulatory framework,” Minister Panton said. “It provides yet another strong connection between industry and Government, which will further improve Cayman’s ability to bring to market products that are responsive to global industry needs, as well as responsive to global regulatory requirements.”

Mr Jude Scott said he was appreciative to have Jackie Doak, COO of Dart Enterprises as a speaker at this event. “It is important that overseas business partners and investors recognise that the Cayman Islands has a thriving economy with committed ongoing development investments, new infrastructure and a high standard of living,” said Mr Scott. Ms Doak presented how Dart, the Islands’ largest developer and investor, remains committed to the Cayman Islands along with their 10 year plan to further invest in the jurisdiction and expand Camana Bay though the Seven Mile Beach corridor, which was well received by the attendees.

“Dart’s success is inextricably tied to that of the financial services industry, and we were pleased to share both our 10 year development plan and our confidence in Cayman’s economy with the industry’s key clients. We look forward to continuing to promote the Cayman Islands both as the leading jurisdiction and also one of the world’s premier destinations to live, work and visit,” Ms Doak said.

There was also participation of tourism partners, as the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (DOT) provided a Cayman getaway prize package which included roundtrip airfare for two on Cayman Airways, four nights’ accommodation at The Ritz-Carlton and tickets to a local attraction.

The Breakfast Briefing event was part of a successful week-long schedule of meetings by Cayman Finance and the Ministry of Financial Services with leading NY firms, institutions, and global media correspondents.

For more information about Cayman Finance, please visit www.caymanfinance.ky

Photo 1: Jude Scott, Cayman Finance Chief Executive Officer
Photo 2: Hon Wayne Panton, Minister for Financial Services, Commerce and Environment
Photo 3 (L to R): Andre Ebanks, Senior Legislative Policy Advisor; Hon Wayne Panton, Minister for Financial Services, Commerce and Environment; Jackie Doak, COO Dart Enterprises; Jude Scott, Cayman Finance CEO; Councillor Roy McTaggart; Dax Basdeo, Chief Officer of Ministry for Financial Services, Commerce and Environment.