Bennard Ebanks new DLP Director

Bennard Ebanks has been appointed director of the Department of Labour and Pensions (DLP) in the Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs.

He has recently returned to the DLP, following a period of service as assistant chief immigration officer in the Department of Immigration where he was appointed to lead a team of senior officers in the newly established Enforcement Compliance Unit.

Prior to joining Immigration, Mr. Ebanks worked as a senior pensions inspector with the DLP, where he had investigative and supervisory responsibilities, including periods where he was acting director and acting superintendent of pensions.

Mr. Ebanks began his career in the civil service when he joined the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) as a cadet in 1990. Subsequently, he worked his way through the ranks to attain the position of police inspector, and later he received the Colonial Police Long Service Medal for 18 years with the force. His last post in the RCIPS was as commander of the Joint Police, Customs and Immigration Marine Unit.

A student at the Cayman Islands Law School from 2004-2007, Mr. Ebanks subsequently received his bachelor of laws with honours from the University of Liverpool. In addition, he attended numerous local and international courses and seminars on management and law enforcement.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead the DLP through this period of change,” he said. “The modernisation of its laws, policies, and procedures – while also addressing the matters raised in the Office of the Complaints Commissioner reports (Danger: Construction at Work and Penny Pinching Pensions) – will be essential to the department’s effectiveness. I look forward to working with all stakeholders in order to achieve the ministry’s vision of establishing a culture of compliance for our labour and pensions laws.”

Chief Officer in the Ministry Employment, Christen Suckoo, said, “With his past experience of working at the department and his professional knowledge and enforcement background, I feel Mr. Ebanks is well suited to effectively lead the DLP during this critical time, especially with the legislative changes that are on the horizon.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome Mr. Ebanks to the ministry’s team, and I look forward to working with him to build upon the strengths that exist and to continue the improvements being carried out at the DLP. His skills, determination and enthusiasm for this challenging yet critical area of work will assist us in developing an efficient compliance regime for labour and pension matters in these islands.”

Minister of Employment, Hon. Tara Rivers also noted her congratulations, “Mr. Ebanks’ experience and credentials will be an asset to the DLP, and I am pleased to see that a suitably qualified Caymanian has been found and appointed to the post,” she said. “I wish Mr. Ebanks success in his very important role in taking the department forward during this exciting period of reform.”

Ministerial Councillor Winston Connolly added that Mr. Ebanks’ career showed what hard work, dedication and education can do for Caymanians and welcomed him to the ministry and wished him well.

Photo caption: (Photo: Catherine MacGillivray)

Bennard Ebanks