George McCarthy Former Chief Secretary

Retired Chief Secretary George McCarthy earlier this week expressed gratitude to the country for the opportunity to acquire a rewarding public service career.

Mr McCarthy, who left office on Wednesday, 1 July, celebrated his long and distinguished career with top government officials, colleagues and staff of his Portfolio at an informal lunch this week.

Offering his own words of advice, he encouraged civil servants to always be courteous as well as efficient: “We’re the beneficiaries of a very rich heritage,” he reminded. “It should be a privilege to serve.”

Speaking of his many retirement plans, Mr McCarthy simply said: “It pays to have a sense of adventure.”

Leader of Government Business/Premier Designate Hon McKeeva Bush lauded the former First Official Member for his “stellar contributions,” particularly as former Financial Secretary and then as Chief Secretary.

Minister Bush’s tribute took place in the House on Monday, 29 June. He expressed appreciation, praise and gratitude for Mr McCarthy’s 36½ years of government service.

He noted that Mr McCarthy, who retired on 30 June, had achieved much during his career, including handling financial challenges from rival financial jurisdictions, and introducing government’s new accounting regimen, as well as civil service reform.

The Leader of Government Business noted that Mr McCarthy’s accomplishments were all the more impressive because they were achieved with “customary unflappable efficiency”.

However, Mr Bush also told the House that the former Chief Secretary would not be easing into a life of leisure because “his talents are too valuable to Cayman to permit mere retirement to impede their use”.

Mr McCarthy is to take over as Chairman of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority Board. He is also part of the new committee that Mr. Bush, as Financial Services Minister, has formed to tackle Cayman’s current overseas challenges, particularly tax information exchange agreements and the OECD grey list.

The tribute also noted Mr McCarthy’s devotion to his family and church.

Speaking at the informal lunch for Mr McCarthy earlier this week, new Chief Secretary Hon Donovan Ebanks praised the work of his predecessor.

“You have been an extremely commendable role model to many, and I‘m personally grateful to have worked under and beside you. I hope your retirement will be long and enjoyable,” he said.

Many others were on hand to present Mr McCarthy with a gift and good wishes.

Mr McCarthy joined the civil service in 1974 as an internal auditor. In 1992 he became Cayman’s Financial Secretary, and in 2004 he was appointed to the country’s most senior civil service position – Chief Secretary, head of the Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs and Head of the Civil Service.