Helen Kilpatrick, Cayman Islands Governor-designate, flew in late Thursday (18) night for a 48-hour visit to Grand Cayman.

The visit is to allow her to become acquainted with some of the Island’s key personnel and to familiarise herself with the Cayman Islands.

It is understood she will be planning a short conference with the local media on Saturday, just before she leaves.

Mrs Kilpatrick will not officially arrive in the Cayman Islands to replace outgoing Governor Duncan Taylor until early September.

Mrs Kilpatrick joined the Home Office in April 2005 as the Director General for Finance and Corporate Services.  For a period during 2012 and 2013 she was the acting Home Office Permanent Secretary and Accounting Officer.  She also has extensive experience working in local government, most recently in West Sussex County Council as deputy Chief Executive and Director of Resources, where she was also Treasurer of the Sussex Police Authority, and for a number of London Borough Councils.  Mrs Kilpatrick is a chartered accountant, and a member of the CIPFA Council.  She is also a Board and Finance Committee Member of Chichester Festival Theatre.  Mrs Kilpatrick will transfer from the Home Office to the FCO for this appointment.

On her appointment as Governor of the Cayman Islands, Mrs Kilpatrick has said “I am honoured and delighted 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”.