A commitment to good governance was signalled by Cayman’s coalition government when it took office a year ago.
Since then, the National Coalition for Caymanians has set its sights on ways to improve the way the country is run.
The administration, led by Premier André Ebanks, has pledged to improve the network of more than 100 boards that run a huge swathe of public services on behalf of the government.
The Health Services Authority Board has already been restructured, with a new-look line-up that includes former Maples lawyer and former CIMA chairman Tim Ridley, who will serve as chairman.
In addition, in January, the financial services firm KPMG began an evaluation of the HSA’s governance structures, leadership capability and operational effectiveness, with the aim of strengthening the Authority. Health Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks commitment to sharing the entire findings of the KPMG report with the public.
The move came after controversy over payments to board members, who racked up almost $491,000 in fees over the 18-month period between January 2024 and June 2025.
It was revealed that the board had held 190 meetings over the same period and concerns were also raised over the separation of powers between the lay board and professional health service executives.
Ebanks-Wilks said in March, “Transparency, accountability and strong governance standards must guide the stewardship of public resources.
Effective 1 December 2025, the NCFC government changed the basis of pay for the HSA board of directors from a per-meeting fee to a fixed monthly stipend structure.
“This revised remuneration framework responds directly to concerns raised by residents and oversight bodies, ensures better value for money and reinforces the principles that underpin effective public sector governance.”
Boards changes hinted
The premier confirmed that the changes in the HSA board governance could form part of a blueprint for changes over the board structure for other government entities.
He added that he assumed “positive intent” by the previous HSA board and stressed the KPMG audit was not designed as punishment, but as a way find if lessons could be learned and applied more generally.
Ebanks said government had also moved to merit-based appointments to boards with provisions to avoid conflicts of interest and improve inclusion and diversity.
Training in board governance, law and practice has been given to 55 board members of 20 statutory authorities and public bodies, which government said was “strengthening governance standards across the public sector”.
Support for the opposition
The coalition also made a pledge during scrutiny of the budget to restore funding for an office and staff for the leader of the opposition, at present Joey Hew of the People’s Progressive Movement.
Hew had earlier called on the government to restore what had been the status quo before the Legislative Council was replaced by Parliament in 2020.
He added that the provision had been “overlooked” during the transition to the new structure and that he had written to the speaker of the house to ask for two full-time and one part-time staff members and financial support for the office of about $5000 a month, which is in line with the amount given to Cabinet ministers for their offices.
The coalition has also “rebuilt and modernised” the gov.ky site to deliver a “faster, accessible, user-centred platform”.
The site is now home to more than 50 government sites and won Website of the Year at the 2026 Cayman Islands Marketing Professionals Association awards.
Good governance campaign
The disciplinary rules for the civil service have also been updated, the first major changes to the civil service code of conduct after a full review that was commissioned in 2024.
A succession planning policy has also come into force, which created structured routes for Caymanians to climb the civil service ladder.
A national good governance campaign is also on the cards, a joint venture between the Office of the Governor, the premier and the leader of the opposition, and led by the Commission for Standards in Public Life.
The coalition also claimed a budget process that had been “balanced and sustainable” as well as in line with the Principles of Responsible Financial Management.
The Ministry of Financial Services and Commerce, headed by the premier, highlighted improved compliance with global finance rules by advancing the National Risk Assessment and boosting anti-money laundering/anti-terrorism financing and countering the financing of weapons of mass destruction.
Ebanks said in the first-year report, “Through key legislative reform, enhanced global engagement and a continued focus on innovation, we have reinforced our position as a globally respected financial services centre of excellence.”
The government also trumpeted the creation of the country’s first National Housing Framework and the associated 10-year strategic plan, which will increase the stock of affordable public housing.
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