Home affairs boss dispatched to London

| 03/02/2016 | 91 Comments
Cayman News Service

Eric Bush, the new Cayman Islands Representative in the London Office

(CNS): The chief officer in the premier’s home affairs ministry will be heading to the UK in July on secondment to the London Office as the Cayman Islands’ representative in Britain. Eric Bush told CNS that he did not see the new appointment as a demotion and, given the attention Cayman is again receiving on the international stage, the work in London could be just as important as the work he was doing for home affairs.

The announcement that Bush was to be seconded to fill the post was released Wednesday afternoon by the deputy governor’s office. It has been vacant since March 2014, when the controversial contract with the UK Conservative peer, Lord Blencathra, was not renewed.

Deputy Governor Franz Manderson said that since it was a three year posting, recruitment for Bush’s current job as chief officer for home affairs would begin immediately.

Bush managed and had oversight of the London Office between 2013 and 2015 when it was the responsibility of the home affairs ministry. Now, however, it is the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary.

Manderson said the importance of the London Office to the Cayman Islands cannot be over emphasised and that the global focus on the jurisdiction, which has intensified during recent weeks, requires high calibre representation both in the United Kingdom and Europe.

“I am very pleased that Mr Bush has accepted the position as the Head of the Cayman Islands Government London Office and UK Representative. I believe that this move will not only benefit the Cayman Islands but also his own career development as a civil servant,” he added.

Bush said he was really looking forward to the new challenges and relocating with his family. He told CNS that he believed he had the necessary attributes and skills for the post. He said he did not “have an ego” about the status of the new post compared to the one he was leaving because he was “here to serve the people of the Cayman Islands”. He added that the London job was a very important one and that there was work to be done to improve the situation for Cayman in London.

Despite the importance of the London Office, it has been without a head for several years and during various rounds of recruitment at least one candidate had been offered but declined the job.

Premier Alden McLaughlin, who will lose his chief officer, said Bush’s appointment was “bittersweet”.

“I am happy to hear that Mr Bush will be our representative in the UK, however I know that he will leave a big void to be filled as chief officer for home affairs.”

Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose, who is in charge of the London Office, congratulated Bush and welcomed him to the Cabinet Office team.

“He and I have worked closely together on many initiatives, some of which have had international implications. I look forward now to working closely with him on international matters with a focus on the United Kingdom and the European Union,” he said.

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Comments (91)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Let us remember that the public’s comments are not always informed by facts, and in the gap between the facts and what detractors try to manipulate is a lot of room for mischief.

    Let’s just stick to the facts people.

  2. Anonymous says:

    In a competitive global environment, companies and people must be poised to change rapidly and be flexible to the issues that will shape the marketplace.

    This is great opportunity for Mr Bush and the Cayman Islands. Let us all rally behind him wish him well and Bon Voyage.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Judging from comments on this post it appears that a large number of individuals were hoping for the appointment of another Englishman.Oh well, better luck next time.

  4. Anonymous says:

    The appointment to this post stinks of conflicted interests and further discredits the Cayman Island’s shameful Civil Service. I’m a Caymanian and I personally want to see my own do well, but let it be on merit and not based on who you know. Let’s look at the timeline here:
    1. Gruelling two-day long assessment and interviews are held in July 2014, several qualified Caymanians shortlisted and interviewed with Eric Bush as chair of interview panel- no appointment to post.
    2. Vacancy re-advertised in late 2014, Eric Bush chairs interview panel-no appointment to post.
    3. Responsibility for the London Office transfers from Eric’s Ministry (Home Affairs) to the Cabinet Office as per the June 2015 Annual Plans and Estimates.
    4. Samuel Rose, Cabinet Secretary advises Finance Committee in June 2015 that his staff conducted the latest round of interviews for the post which should see a ‘local back in the job in a few weeks.’
    5. Silence ensues- no appointment.
    6. Breaking news! February 2016 Eric Bush ‘seconded’ as Cayman Islands Representative and will jet off to the UK with his UK born spouse with no mention or evidence of an open and fair recruitment process.
    I’d like to jump up and down with excitement, but I’m afraid to say that this appears to have been a carefully orchestrated exercise whereby all recruitment efforts would have proven to be unsuccessful and a transfer of portfolios became a necessity as clearly, it would be unacceptable for him to appoint himself. Why wait so long? You may ask… well, one could presume Eric hoped we would have forgotten. Why the UK? You may ask… was the spouse a bit homesick? Why didn’t he throw his hat in the ring against the other candidates? Well, he lacks evidence to support the ‘preferred’ requirements of the job spec that other Caymanians hold… eg. a postgraduate degree (ie. Master’s/ Doctorate etc.); ability to relate to UK Civil Servants; British MPs; Ministers in London and EU Officials in Brussels; ability to speak another EU language… but to name a few. Nevertheless Eric, you got it, so well done! Hold you head high as another rising Caymanian. But seriously, the plan took two years- tick the box for resilience!

    • Anonymous says:

      Actually I think you might be a bit confused. I have never heard of Cayman Government requiring a Caymanian to speak another EU language so I doubt that’s part of the job

      Also I know someone (a Caymanian) who interviewed in late September 2015 so not sure how you can say people were interviewed in June 2015. I highly doubt your assertion is true.

      It was like 2 or 3 days though of tests, interviewing and writing essays. But be truthful even if you don’t like the outcome don’t lie to sound dramatic.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well laid out. The guy’s meteoric rise has been unbelievable!

      Criminology degree from unaccredited university, check!

      Short lived career in RCIPS, check!

      HR manager at Cayman Airways, check!

      Some other fancy job in government he wasn’t ready for, check!

      Chief Officer, check!

      Yep, well qualified and experienced. Just the man for the job! Oh well, Tish will come back well qualified. Well played! Bravo!

    • Anonymous says:

      I’ve personally seen the job description- speaking another EU language is absolutely a desirable criteria. On the June 2015 date, suggust you pick up your concerns with the Cabinet Secretary- this is what he told Finance Committee as reported by Caymannewsservice.

    • Anonymous says:

      Eric’s wife is French…guess that covers the need to speak a European language.

    • Anonymous says:

      to Anonymous 5/2 @ 2:36pm You omitted one very important detail which is that the position was previously offered to another individual who declined it.

  5. Anonymous says:

    What a pile of negative trolls you all are! You will find anything and everything to complain about. If they had appointment someone from London, you would all be complaining that it wasn’t a Caymanian, and now that they have appointment someone who actually IS Caymanian, you are all complaining that it wasn’t the right Caymanian. What makes you all so qualified to choose the person for the position? Just try to be positive and congratulate the man and if you don’t have anything nice to say…keep it moving!

    Congrats Eric, I know you and your family will enjoy London!

  6. Anonymous says:

    I can only assume that no-one else applied.

  7. Sharkey says:

    This looks like Mr Bush popularity is getting too big and someone see him as a threat in the coming election , or may be he has too much information on things that should be exposed , but I still think that the job requires someone with more political experience , and the other Mr Bush would be more qualified for the job. I do have to say power to Mr Bush and put on you tall boots because it’s a messy world of politics you heading to.

  8. Anonymous says:

    I think this is fantastic. If you had written about Lodge affiliation a year or two ago, you would have been branded a nutcase and probably would not have even been published.
    It is wonderful that people are waking up to these traitors who would sell their country out for a bowl of soup (or lucrative security contracts).

    The last thing we need to put the nail in the coffin of this sorry facade is for Alden McLaughlin to publicly renounce his allegiance to this bunch and get on with re-election based on fair and honest practices.

    • Kenny says:

      i have read some rubbish in my days but I have to say that the negative, jealous, vindictive comments on this good news story is frightening. What sort of person sits down and writes this nonsense about lodge, cctv and the like? are you dumb or plain ignorant?

      i am now a full believer about the serious mental health issues we have in these beloved islands? Really!!!

      This is good news for Mr Bush, the civil service, the London office and Cayman. I see real positive change happening and I am proud to a Caymanian.

      Seriously folks if you talk about conspiracy theories and spread negativity all day- get help please.

      • SSM345 says:

        No conspiracy theory when it comes to the Government CCTV contract pal, just hard facts.

        • Anonymous says:

          345 what facts. Read the AG report on the project. He certainly didn’t find anything wrong. But wait ….I’m sure you dreamed some crazy theory. Thank Godness for CCTV it has solved so many crimes. Ask any police officer and you will get a good sense of its benefits. Stop drinking the conspiracy theory cool aid buddy.

      • Anonymous says:

        Lodge members have to deny its existence or the Grand Poo Bah turns you to fish chump.

  9. Anonymous says:

    He was definitely the best Lodge member that applied.

  10. Anonymous says:

    To the poster’s query of providing information on Mr. Bush’s professional background, please be sure to include his tenure at Cayman Airways and why he “left”.

  11. Knot S Smart says:

    Well….
    London is better than sending him to Siberia…

  12. People For An Ezzard Free L.A. says:

    We should all just be thanking whichever sky fairy suits our fancy that it’s not the other option that was being tossed around.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Very upsetting to see the comments on here. If anyone on here had the opportunity to work with Mr. Bush they would appreciate that he is an excellent candidate for the post! He is brilliant and his leadership has been dynamic. I wish you all the best Mr. Bush!

  14. Anonymous says:

    Guess full one of his first tasks will be to make sure Security Center installs a new CCTV’s system and a proper wine fridge is installed.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Yet again the Lodge proves its worth in elevating the mediocre to positions beyond their talent.

    • Anonymous says:

      Sammy you might be his boss now but if would venture a guess and say lodge has him set for dep gov position

  16. Turtle says:

    I can’t beleive reading some of these posts. We have always bit…ched that Caymanians need to be over in the UK. Now one of our own is going there all you can do is put him down.
    We should be congratulating Eric not doing our usual sh.. t put Caymanians down.

    Congrats Eric, you have a challenge ahead of you and I am sure you will represent our island professionally of in the UK ( make sure you get a pair of wellies, rain coats and of course umbrella)

    • Anonymous says:

      You are ignorant and biased. You obviously know very little about England by your silly last comment – the annual rainfall in London is half the annual rainfall in Cayman. The problem many have noted is that this candidate, from inside the local civil service, seems to have little if any experience that suits him to assisting the case of Cayman inside the UK political machine. A connected Londoner, or one that has lived for a substantial time in London, would be a much more effective choice.

      • Anonymous says:

        While still being a local Lodge member, right?

        • Anonymous says:

          No need to be from a local lodge. Free Masonry is a world wide fraternity, secret society, brotherhood etc… You are your brother’s keeper pretty much. Just do the secret sign any where in the world and you will be recognized by a fellow mason.

  17. Anonymous says:

    yawn…more cig wastefulnesss…..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  18. Anonymous says:

    So many haters of caymanians who are doing well. Keep being jealous. It will get you no where and is the reason we have roll over.

    Congrats Eric.

  19. Anonymous says:

    No doubt it will be a Man to replace him…. you watch I called it. GOOD LUCK Eric!

    • Anonymous says:

      To 10.09: Not generalizing here, but the current three female Chief Officers havent really done Caymanian females any good service.

      Rodriguez = accused of doctoring a report, then shifted to another section to deflate the situation.

      Ahearn = doesnt read important, multi-million dollar contracts for her ministry, but heavily scrutinizes her Minister’s $1000 phone bills

      Whittaker = well, if u dont know, just ask a seaman.

      • Anonymous says:

        Not to mention Evans. The fact is that offices which are dominated by women are also dominated by cat fights and nothing gets done. There’s nothing sexist about that, the track record proves it.

      • Anonymous says:

        Fine, but could he please get some dress sense if he is to represent us in the UK. This should be a requirement.

        • Anonymous says:

          From the looks of some of these guys, consultations from a professional stylist would be helpful. Some people who are excellent at their job lose credibility through attire and grooming faux-pas. The poor guys have no idea either.

        • Anonymous says:

          Leave the polyester behind.

      • Anonymous says:

        How about the Chief Education Officer who presided over a failing school, took no responsibility when independent report after report identified the weaknesses and is now presiding over a very unhappy ship at the Education Department.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Lord what next! What qualifies him for this post seriously? I am dying to know?

    • Batman says:

      I am sick to read the negative posters. I never realized the jealousy that was out there. I am a non Caymanian and I can say that I am impressed with this appointment and the changes being made in the civil service.

      Why can’t we come to cayman and supports it’s people? I see a real effort to make things better for all of us.

      • Anonymous says:

        Because if you look at the advertised ‘requirements’ for the post and his background … you ask the question ‘what is required for this post’. Nationality has nothing to do with it. – I’ll say ‘at least a Caymanian got it without meeting the requirements this time’ if it will make you feel better on our behalf.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Eric has really imposed his Lodge crap on us. I hope he stays over there.

  22. Ambassador of Absurdistan says:

    Just another day in Absurdistan

  23. Anonymous says:

    No amount of time in London will make Eric bush qualified to eventually become Deputy Governor

  24. Chris says:

    Watch for the wink and the special hand shakes.

  25. Anonymous says:

    Will this make a difference to the security business on Grand Cayman?

  26. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations Eric. This is wonderful news and a great opportunity for you and your family. Hope you will ignore the negative comments in this and other forums and that you will enjoy this opportunity. Well done.

  27. Anonymous says:

    good luck Eric now lets clean up Home Affairs with all the scandals and issues. You all dont know if this is a strategic move by the DG to get him out the way!

    • Anonymous says:

      It certainly is a strategic move. Sit back, fasten your seat belt and watch it play out. Franz took care of him so he wouldn’t loose any salary while doing a lesser job.

  28. Anonymous says:

    CNS can you give us the history and background of Mr. Bush? Other than him being fast tracked in CIG within the last few years, what qualifications does he have? I do know he was a police officer back in the day…. He has not spent more than three years in his prior post or the post before that so I don’t quite understand his progression so quickly.

  29. Anonymous says:

    The only reason I cling to life is to see what happens next!

  30. Anonymous says:

    Cayman Kind is screwing up consistently in the current job then get sent away for 3 years to cool off as a reward for being Franz Manderson’s puppet

  31. Anonymous says:

    What qualifications does Eric Bush have for the position besides being a Lodge brother?

    Does he have a university degree, a Post Graduate degree or are Shirlaw courses enough these days?

    • Anonymous says:

      What, pray tell, does the “Lodge” have to do with this?

      Must be that you tried very hard to get in and couldn’t and now you try to find to find every excuse in the world to associate it with everything bad under the canopy of heaven.

      Grow up!

  32. Management 101 says:

    CIG management 101 – reward incompetence with a promotion and a cushy job in London to protect him for screwing up even more inside GOAB.

  33. Gray matter says:

    Never seen a person that has had more government positions than Mario Ebanks. Good riddance .

  34. Bush Tea, served fresh says:

    Congratulations, Eric.

    I’ll have to visit the old country for sure now and have a spot of tea with you before heading off to visit her Majesty for a round of bangers and mash. ?

    Cheers and do us proud.

  35. Anonymous says:

    This is another excellent move by our DG. This secondment to the London office fills a huge void at a time when the cayman islands is under attack overseas. Eric is a perfect fit for this Post! wow this is really great for Cayman. Eric will benefit from the exposure. a win win for everyone.

    I can’t wait for the next exciting appointment. The DG is on a roll big time. I have never seen so many qualified Caymanians being promoted in the civil service as I have seen in the past year!

    • Anonymous says:

      You clown. He is being demoted….not promoted like Eric and the DG is trying to spin it. Check the grading. He will report to the Cabinet Secretary who is at Chief Officer level.

  36. Anonymous says:

    Help us. Will the CCTV’s work any better?

  37. Allar says:

    Thank God maybe the lawsuits will stop now. That was some demotio!!!! Wow

    • Anonymous says:

      Not a demotion. A three year secondment. So less work for the same pay and ticking that important ‘exposure’ box on the CV. With a paragraph about ‘diplomacy’. – Eric for Governor next.

      • Anonymous says:

        Eric for governor next? No Bo Bo. Eric is on his way out the door where he should be. I’m sure that deep down Alden is happy to see him go even though he is a lodge brother like himself.

  38. Anonymous says:

    There are many QUALIFIED CAYMANIANS that can take his current post. Will that happen? Or will the ad be like that of the new Procurement Office, where they advertised for someone with 13.5 years experience, and must have experience in a Federal procurement system…to procure in Cayman.

    • Anonymous says:

      Nothing against Mr. Bush but come on! We have so many highly qualified Caymanians all across the world and where did their applications go? Right in the bin…I would like to see CIG hire a fresh face to a top post every once in a while. Shake up management and get a different angle…same old same old..The CIG probably needs regulation and an oversight body to review hiring, training and promoting staff. I know someone who got a masters degree and they sit them down in the same old seat while the usual suspects get promoted. It is like a high school popularity contest in that place.

      • Debbie says:

        Rubbish 7 :39 who are these qualified Caymanians living around the world? Please don’t post without a facts.

        This post. Chief officer education accountant general cellector or customs director of labour and pensions have all been filled by highly qualified Caymanians. This is impressive.

        • Marcia says:

          Debbie u sound stupid and I sure hope you get rolled over soon and go back to where all the smart people are and please don’t say you are Caymanian because that would make you a real jac$@ss.

        • Anonymous says:

          There are many qualified Caymanian’s living abroad. Perhaps you should do a little research and you would be shock at how many there are.

      • Anonymous says:

        The civil service need to reintroduce a public service commission. It still works fine in Bermuda. It is the only solution. The problem is that the top guns don’t want to give up their power to do as they have been doing. We need a good premier to take them to task since they are the ones voting the monies for their salaries.

  39. Anonymous says:

    It’s not what you know….

    • Timeless says:

      It’s who you know it with?

    • Anonymous says:

      By the way, I noticed that the DG didn’t mention anything about a highly competitive process in which Erich Bush emerged as the silver bullet. So I believe that it was just an outright appointment. The games that these guys play is unbelievable. Eric Bush did not renew the contract of the last person while he prepared to migrate to the UK. Now he is mysteriously appointed to the position at the London Office.

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