News

The Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure (CPI) has appointed Kristen Augustine as Energy Policy Coordinator, effective October 28, 2019.

In her role, Mrs. Augustine will assist the Ministry to deliver mission critical initiatives under the National Energy Policy. She will also monitor Government’s position on emerging trends in the energy sector and provide guidance to the Energy Policy Council and key stakeholders on the National Energy Policy and its priority goals.

Minister of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure, Hon. Joey Hew has welcomed Mrs. Augustine to the Ministry while noting that her appointment underscores government’s commitment to the National Energy Policy. “Implementing the National Energy Policy is a strategic priority of the government, so having someone on board to coordinate and monitor the process as we work toward achieving our vision of sustainable energy supply and consumption is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Chief Officer in the Ministry of CPI, Alan Jones, stated that Mrs. Augustine brings a wealth of experience in policy, planning, management and operations which will add value to this important role. He noted, “She is a bright and ambitious young Caymanian who excelled in her post at the Department of Planning and will no doubt bring the same level of drive and enthusiasm necessary to succeed in this position”.

Mrs. Augustine, who attended John Gray High School, holds a Master of Science degree in Spatial Planning from Oxford Brooks University and a Bachelor of Science in Management and Tourism from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.

A certified town planner and permit technician with the Royal Town Planning Institute and the International Code Council, Mrs. Augustine has also pursued courses focusing on development issues and the impact of climate change on small island developing states.

She has served in several capacities at the Department of Planning including as Senior Manager of Operations, Policy Officer and Planning Assistant where her responsibilities included overseeing the operations team, processing applications for planned area developments, meeting with customers to discuss planning issues and training industry stakeholders and customers on the online planning systems.

Not a stranger to the Ministry, in 2015 she completed a secondment there as a Senior Policy Officer for six months before returning to the Department of Planning in the Senior Manager of Operations post.

Mrs. Augustine has also served as a Planning Officer in the Development Control Section at the Reading Borough Council in the United Kingston where she was responsible for conducting site visits and processing planning applications for new dwellings and change of use applications, working with the enforcements teams, and training new members of staff on the development control process.

She said that she is excited about the new assignment and “looks forward to working with all stakeholders, including those in the private and public sector to move the National Energy Policy forward”.