Bruce Dinwiddy Former Cayman Islands Governor

The former Governor of the Cayman Islands, Bruce Dinwiddy, has accepted a post with a property and construction alliance which hopes to stimulate business in the Caribbean.

Rider Levett Bucknall’s (RLB) Caribbean Intelligence network is due to launch next month at an event in Durrant’s Hotel, London, where Mr Dinwiddy will be announced as one of the patrons of the initiative.

Representatives from more than twenty businesses are set to attend the event on Friday, 9 October 2009.

It is intended that the new association will boost business opportunities, share best practice and collaboration agreements between the UK and the Caribbean countries.

“I warmly welcome RLB’s intention for Caribbean Intelligence to promote the highest standards of corporate social responsibility, with particular regard to the needs of environmental conservation, throughout the Caribbean,” said Mr Dinwiddy.

The Caribbean Intelligence initiative is being led by Martyn Bould, chairman of Rider Levett Bucknall in the Caribbean, and UK based managing partner Mark Williamson.

The Caribbean headquarters of Rider Levett Bucknall are based in the Cayman Islands. It has two other offices operating in Barbados and St Lucia.

“Caribbean Intelligence is an unprecedented initiative that is set to become a powerful networking tool for all those with business interests between the countries.

“Despite the current difficult market conditions which have not evaded the Caribbean economy, the pipeline of opportunities between the UK and RLB’s global property and construction sector and the Caribbean are strong.

“Not only can we also offer support to those already working in these areas, it will enable Rider Levett Bucknall to provide up-to-the-minute Caribbean market information to assist our worldwide client base. We are currently preparing the first Caribbean Cost Commentary which will be made available from the 9th October,” said Mr Williamson.

Rider Levett Bucknall is one of the UK’s leading cost and construction consultancies and employs over 2,000 people in more than 80 offices across Asia, Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.

The company is currently working on a number of projects throughout the Caribbean which include the Jalousie Enclave - a luxury destination located in a Word Heritage site in St Lucia, the Monte Barreto resort in Havana Cuba, the 1,000 room Buccament Bay resort in St Vincent and Beachlands - a world class residential complex on the Barbados gold coast.

It recently completed the new cruise ship pier in St Maarten.

Mr Bould has represented Rider Levett Bucknall in the Caribbean for five years and has worked in the region for more than 40 years.

“There is no other networking alliance like Caribbean Intelligence either in the UK or the Caribbean.

“At a time when it is imperative to look at growth markets, plan ahead and review the way we do business, this initiative is RLB’s cutting edge resource that will quickly be recognised as an invaluable sales and marketing tool for all those involved in the property and construction sector.

“As with many areas throughout the world, the Caribbean island countries have their own way of doing business.

“Rider Levett Bucknall will be at the helm of a new comprehensive service that will help developers, investors and end-users in our sector, inevitably leading to strengthened trade links between the two,” said Mr Bould.