Human Resources Development at the forefront of discussions between CIBC Caribbean and the Cayman Islands Government

The role of CIBC Caribbean in supporting the advancement of Caymanians, and their contributions to the territory’s development, was a key focus during a recent meeting between the bank’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Janine Billy; Head of Country for Cayman, Gemel Sobers; Head HR- Cayman and BVI, Sherrill Beckford and the Minister for Caymanian Employment and Immigration, The Honourable Michael Myles.

During a recent visit to the Cayman Islands, Ms. Janine Billy and members of the bank’s local management team met with the Minister to reaffirm the bank’s commitment to workforce development. As part of this renewed support, the bank pledged to offer internship and employment opportunities established in partnership with local providers, underscoring its dedication to empowering Caymanians and fostering meaningful career pathways.

Following the meeting, Ms. Janine Billy, Chief Human Resources Officer, emphasized the importance of aligning talent development with national progress: “It’s about cultivating the right mix of skills to help propel the Cayman Islands into the future. The Minister’s commitment to enhancing the immigration framework, while actively engaging employers as partners in Caymanian development, is both timely and commendable. For young professionals, this translates into greater access to internships and immersion programs with organisations like ours, and importantly, clear pathways for career growth supported by ongoing development once they’re hired”.

Sherrill Beckford, Head of HR for Cayman and the British Virgin Islands added: “These initiatives reflect our broader strategic objective of deepening relationships not only with our clients, but our community.  As a responsible social partner to government, we understand the importance of aligning our human resource development plans with both the bank’s growth ambitions and the development goals of the Caymanian community. Creating meaningful opportunities for Caymanians is central to that mission”.

Mrs. Beckford highlighted the recent onboarding of six interns who spent the summer gaining hands-on experience across various departments of the bank’s Cayman operations, describing it as a tangible example of the bank’s commitment to nurturing young local talent.

Gemel Sobers, Head of Country for Cayman, reaffirmed the bank’s alignment with national priorities, stating: “Our recruitment strategy for the Cayman Islands is closely aligned with the Minister’s vision.  We are focused on cultivating a sustainable pipeline of Caymanian talent, reducing long-term dependence on work permits, and strengthening leadership development and succession planning within our organisation.”

Mr. Sobers also noted that several key roles within the bank have been filled by Caymanians, through both new hires and internal promotions. He emphasized the bank’s investment in staff development through targeted training programs, and its ongoing support for tertiary education via scholarship donations.