Up Front
Largest ever turn-out at Londonreception
Photos: Vernon Jackson
Mrs. Dilbert (partially hidden) introducesthe Governor and Mrs Smith to His Excellency, Mr. David Muirhead,High Commissioner for Jamaica.
Mr. Robert Ridgeway and Mrs. Sheila Ridgewayat the Reception. Mrs Ridgeway (nee Lockwood), who taught in Caymanfor many years, led the Girls Brigade and introduced the Dukeof Edinburgh Award Scheme to the Island.
Mrs. Dilbert (right) enjoys the receptionwith, from left, daughters Rita and Juliette and Chris King ofHill and Knowlton, the private sector's PR firm in London.
The Annual Cayman Islands Reception washeld in London on Thursday November 30, and hosted for the firsttime by Mrs. Jennifer Dilbert, a Caymanian who took up the postof Cayman Islands Government Representative in the United Kingdomin August of this year.
His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Peter Smith, CBE and Mrs Smithwere guests of honour.
About 30 Caymanian students studying in the UK, and many otherCaymanians living in London, turned out to mingle with guestsand to give a real Caymanian flavour to the evening's proceedings.
The local business sector was also well represented, with a numberof Cayman-based bankers and lawyers taking up Mrs. Dilbert's invitationto attend the function.
In addition, UK and European-based executives of banks representedin Cayman also attended, including representatives from BarclaysBank, Deutsche Bank, Morval Bank, Trident Trust and CIBC.
Several Members of Parliament, HM Treasury and Foreign Officeofficials, Overseas Territory Representatives and High Commissionersrounded out the guest list of about 150, said to be the largestever attendance.
Mrs. Dilbert said she was particularly pleased with the high turn-outof Caymanians, as it gave overseas guests the opportunity to speakwith people with up-to-date knowledge of the Cayman Islands inall areas.
She was also able to introduce the Governor and Mrs Smith to hercounterparts in London, to other Caymanians living and workingin the UK, and to quite a number of British Members of Parliament(MPs).
Mrs. Dilbert felt that the Governor had been able to accomplishmuch on his short two-day visit to London, meeting a total of16 MPs and Ministers as well as Treasury and Foreign Office officials.
Mrs. Dilbert has been working on establishing contacts in theHouse of Commons and the House of Lords, so as to apprise themof current issues affecting Cayman, especially in the financialarena, and it was extremely helpful to this process that the Governorwas able to find time to meet them.
A key area of concern was the effect that the new Government wouldhave on Cayman's commitment to co-operation in the various currentfinancial initiatives, including the OECD, and the FATF, to ensurethat Cayman maintains the highest international standards in itsfinancial regulation and anti-moneylaundering policies. The Governorwas able to give the new Ministers' commitment to this process.
Mrs. Dilbert is now looking forward to a visit to London by someof the new Ministers so that they can reinforce this message.