His Excellency the Governor is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Samuel Rose as the new Cabinet Secretary and Chief Officer of the Cabinet Office.

Mr. Rose will take up the position on the retirement of Mr. Orrett Connor in February 2013.

Mr. Rose was appointed following an open recruitment process. Twenty six persons applied for the position and five were shortlisted and subjected to an assessment centre. Four excellent candidates were chosen for interview.

The Portfolio of the Civil Service administered on-line tests that assessed cognitive ability, emotional intelligence and learning agility. Also the candidates undertook a written examination which consisted of three separate scenarios that had to be completed in a defined period; these tasks reflected what would actually be expected of the Cabinet Secretary.

The applicants then appeared in front of a panel and were asked to deliver a speech which they had prepared previously. They were then interviewed by the panel consisting of Mr. Franz Manderson, Deputy Governor (Chairman), Mr. Dan Scott, Regional Managing Partner of Ernst and Young, Chair of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and a member of the National Security Council, Mrs. Brigitte Kirkconnell-Shaughness, Proprietor and Operator of Kirks Home Centre and a member of the National Security Council and Mr. Peter Gough, Strategic Advisor to the Deputy Governor.

Mr. Rose has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.  Since 2003, he has worked as a Graduate Research Analyst, a Policy Analyst, a Deputy Permanent Secretary and his current post is Deputy Chief Officer (Financial Services).  Mr. Rose is also a Licensed Social Worker and has recently completed a United Nations course in Public Diplomacy. Mr. Rose is on the Board of Governors of the University College of the Cayman Islands, a Member of theForeign Account Tax Compliance Act Task Force and also Member of the International Tax Cooperation Team.

Governor Duncan Taylor commented that “The role of Cabinet Secretary is established under the Constitution and is critical to ensure policy coordination across the whole of government.  I am delighted that we have a person of Mr. Rose’s calibre to be the next Cabinet Secretary. He is a respected individual both within and outside the Civil Service. I am confident that he has the ability to be an outstanding Cabinet Secretary.”

The Deputy Governor said “I am very pleased to have Mr. Rose as part of our Chief Officer Management Team. As Cabinet Secretary he will ensure that the government’s policy framework is cohesive and coordinated. In addition, as the Chief Officer responsible for Information Technology and Government Information Services, I will be expecting him to champion a fresh impetus towards a more ‘digital’ Government that delivers services more effectively to our customers and to promote the use of social media to communicate with our citizens.”

Mr. Rose stated “Today I am humbled by the opportunity to serve my country as Cabinet Secretary and thank God for directing my path.  I am a product of this community and as such, many people from all walks of life have contributed in immeasurable ways to my life’s journey.  To each of them I say a heartfelt ‘thank you’.  I accept the challenge of this new position knowing that to whom much is given, much is required.  I will work faithfully alongside the excellent team of individuals within the Cabinet Office and its Departments to make a difference both in the public service and in the wider community.”

The Governor also thanked Mr. Orrett Connor, who will be retiring as Cabinet Secretary in early February, for his long service and for the support and friendship he has shown to him over the past three years.