Reception of thanks to Friends of Cayman in the UK

The Cayman Islands Government London Office hosted a Friends of Cayman dinner on Thursday evening. The event was held at the Royal Institute of British Architects in central London and was attended by a wide range of guests who are supportive of the Cayman Islands in the UK. The new Cayman Islands Representative to the UK and Europe, Mr André Ebanks, was introduced at the event. Mr Ebanks thanked those who have assisted the Cayman Islands through their support and friendship over many years, and asked for their continued support.

The attendees list included thee former Governors Mr John Owen CMG, Mr Bruce Dinwiddy CMG and Duncan Taylor CBE, former and present Representatives of United Kingdom Overseas Territories, Members of Parliament, members of the United Kingdom Government, the core group of Friends of Cayman, private sector firms from diverse industries, Caymanian Miss Caribbean UK, Sydonie Barrett, and a sizable contingent of Caymanian students studying in the UK.

The Cayman Islands Representative to the UK and Europe, André Ebanks said of the event “It was an honour, a privilege and a joy to be introduced to so many wonderful supporters of Cayman and to be able to personally thank them for their continued friendship. I was truly touched by their affection for our country and their willingness to help us with our endeavours and initiatives, and in particular to watch them interact with our Caymanian students.”

Over 20 students attended the event, the largest contingent of Caymanian students to attend this kind of function with Cayman Islands Government, a landmark moment for the Cayman Islands Government overseas to ensure that students are involved in UK functions and are at the forefront of Cayman Islands Government activity in the UK.

Julian Menko, studying International Relations and Politics in London attended the event and commented “I was honoured to be able to attend the Friends of Cayman dinner and very happy to see so many other students there, some I had met before and some I had not, it was a pleasure to be introduced to the new Representative and I look forward to engaging with the London Office, the Friends of Cayman and Cayman Connection UK (CCUK) more next year.”

Former Governor and Chair of the Friends of Cayman group in the UK John Owen commented: “Congratulations to André Ebanks and his team for a most memorable dinner for the Friends of Cayman. I’m sure the Friends will continue, with even more energy and enthusiasm, to support the Cayman Islands. I was pleased that so many Caymanian students, who are the future of Cayman, were also guests at the dinner.”