Editorial Note: The Caymanian Journal (TCJ) is an affiliate of Stingray Media Group. Compass Media, publisher of the Cayman Compass, competes with TCJ for readers and advertisers.

Premier André Ebanks has appointed consultant Karie Bergstrom as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Premier from 1 October 2026, the office said in a release issued on 8 September. Dr Bergstrom is a director of BarrCross Group Ltd. She replaces Pilar Bush, who the release said "is stepping down from 7 September to pursue a new chapter in publishing".

Compass Media announced on 27 August that Ms Bush becomes its Publisher on 14 September, taking over from Tripp Donnelly. Compass Media publishes the Cayman Compass and has been owned by Dart since 2023. Dart Media and Entertainment and the company's then owner, James Bergstrom, announced jointly on 31 May 2023 that Dart had agreed to buy Compass Media, including the newspaper and its radio stations, subject to approval by the Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg). James Bergstrom is Dr Bergstrom's brother. Ms Bush is a former Dart executive: the Cayman Compass described her on 28 January 2022 as the company's former Executive Vice President of Marketing, People and Culture.

Dr Bergstrom will keep some private consulting work while in post. The release said she takes on "responsibility for day-to-day operations, coordinating policy implementation across ministries and managing strategic priorities, alongside a smaller portfolio of select consulting engagements". Asked by TCJ which engagements she will retain, the Office of the Premier said on 9 September that details of her private-sector engagements "are subject to professional confidentiality", but that BarrCross Group "does not have any contracts with Government clients".

Who the new Chief of Staff is

The release described Dr Bergstrom as a specialist in "business continuity, workforce development, crisis management, and operational leadership" who has held leadership roles in legal and accounting firms and "has consulted government on immigration policy reform and strategic development". It listed her as a past president of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association and a former chair of the Tourism Advisory Council, and said she has served on the Health Services Authority and Hotel Licensing boards, the Gender Equality Tribunal, the National Pensions Board and the Immigration Accreditation Review Team. It said she holds a doctorate and is a Certified Business Continuity Professional and a Global Professional of Human Resources.

"Dr Karie brings vast experience across the public and private sectors, as well as a skill set that is uniquely suited to the role," Mr Ebanks said in the release. "She excels at navigating complex challenges, leading change management and developing human capital, which aligns well with the NCFC's agenda to address long-standing national issues and modernise government services. I am delighted to welcome Dr Karie to the team." The NCFC is the National Coalition for Caymanians, the governing coalition formed after the April 2025 general election.

"For a patriotic Caymanian, I can think of no higher honour than being given the opportunity to serve my country in this capacity," Dr Bergstrom said in the release. "I am deeply humbled by the confidence Premier Ebanks has placed in me and look forward to bringing my experience, energy and commitment to the role and to advancing the Government's priorities for the people of the Cayman Islands." Until she starts, the release said, Executive Advisor Juliet DuFeu will coordinate the work of the office.

What the Office of the Premier said when asked

TCJ emailed ten questions to the Office of the Premier about the appointment. Angela Piercy, Head of Communications and Public Affairs in the office, replied by email on 9 September.

Asked how Dr Bergstrom was selected and whether the post was advertised, Ms Piercy said: "The Chief of Staff is a political appointment." The office did not say whether the post had been advertised or who made the appointment and under what authority. Asked whether the post ends with the current administration, she said: "Political appointees currently serve on fixed-term contracts, terminating the day after the next General Election."

On the release's statement that Dr Bergstrom "has consulted government on immigration policy reform and strategic development", TCJ asked which government bodies had contracted BarrCross Group or Dr Bergstrom personally, when, for what work and at what value. Ms Piercy said Dr Bergstrom's "contributions to Government initiatives were either voluntary or undertaken during her earlier professional career". The office did not name the bodies or the work.

On conflicts of interest, Ms Piercy said Dr Bergstrom "has complied with declaration-of-interest requirements applicable to her existing public appointments, and will comply with the appropriate conflict-of-interest requirements in her new role". The office did not say whether a declaration of interests for the Chief of Staff post will be published. It did say that Dr Bergstrom "will resign from her appointments to statutory boards, tribunals, committees and other public authorities prior to taking up her role on 1 October".

On cost, Ms Piercy said: "Remuneration is in line with Grade C of the Civil Service pay scale." Under the Cayman Islands Government salary scale in Personnel Circular 11 of 2024, Appendix B, effective 1 January 2025, Grade C runs from CI$163,164 at the first pay point to CI$189,204 at the seventh. That scale, which incorporated a 5% cost of living adjustment, remains the current one. The office did not say which pay point applies, what the post costs in total including allowances, pension and health contributions, or whether the remuneration was set on the same basis as Ms Bush's.

Between now and 1 October, Ms Piercy said, Ms DuFeu "is coordinating the work of the political appointees in the Office of the Premier" and "is appointed on a fixed-term contract". The office did not say whether she receives additional remuneration for the interim role.

Ms Bush's two spells in the Premier's office

Ms Bush first joined the Office of the Premier under then Premier Wayne Panton. In a release dated 29 January 2022, Mr Panton said he had appointed her Chief of Strategy, a role in which she would "effectively serve as Head of the Office of the Premier, attend Caucus meetings and support the work of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries to promote the strategic alignment of the PACT Government's priorities". The Cayman Compass reported on 28 January 2022 that the appointment took effect on 31 January. Mr Panton resigned as Premier in November 2023 and Juliana O'Connor-Connolly succeeded him on 15 November 2023.

Mr Ebanks was sworn in as Premier on 6 May 2025. TCJ reported on 19 August 2026 that Ms Bush had served as Chief of Strategy from 2022 to 2023 and returned to the office as Chief of Staff to Mr Ebanks in June 2025. Thanking her in the 8 September release, Mr Ebanks said Ms Bush "has played a foundational role in shaping the government's strategic priorities and establishing the framework and support systems in the Office of the Premier".

TCJ asked on what date Ms Bush gave notice, on what date the office accepted it, and whether any period between the Compass Media announcement on 27 August and 7 September was treated as leave. Ms Piercy said: "The official resignation date of Ms Bush was 7 September. Notice was given in line with contractual obligations." The office did not answer the question on leave. On 19 August, TCJ reported that Ms Piercy had told it Ms Bush "was on leave", without saying for how long or of what kind.

Announcing her move on 27 August, Compass Media quoted Mark VanDevelde, CEO of Dart, as saying: "We are proud to have attracted a leader of Pilar's calibre to take Compass Media into its next chapter." Compass Media said Dart remained committed to the organisation "over the long term" and that Caymanians make up about 80% of its team. TCJ reported the appointment on 31 August 2026.

What remains open before 1 October

The office has undertaken that Dr Bergstrom will leave every statutory board, tribunal and committee before she starts, and that she will comply with conflict-of-interest requirements in the post. It has not said whether the post was advertised, which consulting clients she will keep alongside it, whether any of those clients contract with the Cayman Islands Government, whether her declaration of interests will be published, or what the post costs in full. Each of those questions was among the ten TCJ put to the office; the answers reported above are the ones it received.