With all the problems that have ravaged the Cayman Islands Airport Authority (CIAA) over the past two years, especially relating to top jobs – one would have thought they would have been squeaky clean in making the appointment.

But this is the CIAA.

Just look at the history.

Staff shake-ups, allegations of possible board interference with employees, questions over an alleged cover up, the termination of its former CEO, concerns over the appointment of the Chief Human Resources (HR) Officer and the previous choice for the HR job was denied a work permit!

David Bailey has been appointed by the CIAA as HR.

David Bailey was appointed HR after being selected by the outside firm of Deloitte and Touche. Deloitte’s did the selection “as a matter of transparency” because the CIAA were not staffed properly in Human Resources, said CIAA’s new CEO Albert Anderson.

“Bailey has years of experience in the area of Human Resources and after his appointment we will be reverting to using our internal resources for new hires,” he added.

However……. David Bailey served on an interview panel for the CIAA only a year ago!!

Didn’t anyone think for one single moment that after all the palaver, especially the HR job, this fact would be questioned?

Were not Deloitte’s made aware of this?

We do not know as Deloitte’s are not talking.

Anderson incredibly said there was no conflict of interest because “He was not a part of the panel during the selection process for this position.”

I suppose one can chalk up a tick on the side of Anderson for coming to the conclusion that if Anderson had been part of the selection panel that might have been a conflict of interest.

How he cannot see any conflict with the appointment after what has gone before is truly amazing.

Bailey wisely has made no comment on the conflict of interest charge.

He said the staff has welcomed him in his new role. I expect most of them already knew him!

I am very happy for him and I hope he does an excellent job. Everyone will be watching.

We shouldn’t have been surprised at the appointment – it is after all the CIAA.