Dart promotes Joanne Lawson to chief executive as VanDevelde moves to chair
Dart's leadership change tops a day that also brought a Privy Council appeal over OfReg fees and new population data.
Dart has appointed Joanne Lawson as chief executive, effective immediately, with longtime CEO Mark VanDevelde continuing as executive director and board chairman. Cayman Compass reports Lawson is a 23-year company veteran; Cayman Marl Road notes she is Caymanian and was promoted from chief of staff and chief administrative officer.
On the regulatory front, C3 Pure Fibre (Infinity Broadband Ltd) says it is preparing to seek leave to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council after a Court of Appeal ruling last Thursday on licence fees, according to Cayman News Service. Separately, the permanent increase in personal duty-free allowances took effect on 1 September, allowing residents to bring in up to CI$800 of personal and household goods, after the temporary CI$1,000 summer allowance lapsed on 31 August, CNS reports. Customs and Border Control has reminded importers that vehicles eight years old or older remain prohibited under the Customs and Border Control (Prohibited Goods) Order, CMR says.
On demographics, the Cayman Compass reports the birth rate has more than halved over four decades, leaving immigration to account for a rising share of population growth — a structural point for employers and public services.
In government and community news, an independent inquiry has been commissioned into the death of Cayman Brac toddler Alissady Powell, the Compass reports, with CMR reporting that the RCIPS has commissioned a UK expert to review its own investigation. Cabinet has approved a new Focus Sports framework covering funding criteria, governance and child safeguarding, per CNS.
Weather and health: a Saharan dust health alert was in effect (Compass), the MRCU began a week-long island-wide aerial larviciding operation from West Bay eastwards (CMR), and CNS reports record August temperatures, including the hottest-ever August day on Grand Cayman. A Wednesday rush-hour crash on Shamrock Road in Red Bay — described as involving a tractor by CNS and an excavator by the Compass — led to a driver's arrest on suspicion of drink driving.