Andre has nearly seven years of public service experience, most recently as the Cayman Islands Representative to the UK and Europe.
There, he represented Cayman’s political, policy and regulatory affairs; managed relations with British Overseas Territories and the UK Foreign Office; promoted business development; and assisted Caymanians in the UK and Europe with a wide range of matters.
He was previously Deputy Chief Officer in the Ministry of Community Affairs, overseeing the Department of Children and Family Services, the Needs Assessment Unit, and the Gender Affairs Unit.
Prior to that role, Andre served as Senior Legislative Policy Advisor in the Department of Financial Services Policy and Legislation, developing several laws and regulations governing the financial services industry.
Andre began his career at Appleby (Cayman) and subsequently worked in the Investment Funds Practice Group of Walkers (Cayman).
With a B.A. in Sociology from Morgan State University, an LLB from the Truman Bodden Law School, and a Master’s in Legal Practice from Manchester Metropolitan University, he was called to the Bar of England and Wales by the Middle Temple in 2005, and the Cayman Islands Bar in 2006.
Andre has been a council member of the Caymanian Bar Association, is a past member of the Cayman Islands Law Society, and a member of the Honourable Middle Temple in England.
His community board memberships include Generation NOW, the Human Rights Committee, the Gender Equality Tribunal and Cayman Airways Ltd.
The son of Attlee Ebanks of West Bay, he is married with two children.
The top 3 national issues to address if elected:
• Securing a strong economy, which we can achieve by protecting and promoting financial services; safely re-opening borders and establishing the future of tourism; supporting small businesses; and achieving economic diversity by kickstarting innovation and alternative industries.
• Advancing a sustainability agenda by creating an environmental management framework; establishing a balanced sustainable development plan; accelerating full adoption of the National Energy Policy; protecting and conserving our natural resources; and promoting and preserving Caymanian culture.
• Benefitting Caymanian families by improving the local standard of living; reducing the cost of living; ensuring employment for Caymanians; prioritising gender equality; enhancing human services; and developing a fit-for-purpose educational system.
The top 3 constituency issues to address if elected:
• Addressing unemployment and the cost of living. These factors have a large impact on the lives of all the residents of West Bay South, either directly or indirectly.
• Maintaining communication with constituents and listening to their concerns. I will not be an absentee MP but will convert my campaign office to a constituency office, and plan on maintaining a monthly open-door policy with regular community meetings in the constituency where people can come and listen and talk through their concerns. In addition to maintaining communication, we have to get back to the days of people in our communities helping each other. I’d like to facilitate community workshops / working groups with constituents helping each other; e.g. resume writing help; small businesses looking for interns; entrepreneurs helping each other; bringing the community together blue collar helping white collar and vice versa.
• Ensuring the safety and security of all residents of West Bay South. We must address the issues of drugs and crime in the constituency as well as providing mental health support.
Why you are running in 2021 elections?
I am standing as a candidate in the 2021 elections because our country is standing at a crossroads and I see division where there should be togetherness. I’m standing because people in West Bay South, and across the country, deserve a credible committed representative who will encourage harmony and the spirit of collaboration. I want to close the divide and put in place the best plan for our people and country, not only for right now but for generations and benefitting all Caymanians. I believe this means securing a strong economy, it means protecting and promoting financial services, kick starting innovation in alternative industries to achieve a more diverse economy. It means supporting tourism, so that when the time is right, we can reopen our borders safely. It means advancing a sustainability agenda and balancing the development necessary for progress with the needs of our environment. We must be ready to go on day one, and I am ready. I have a proven record in financial services and community affairs, having spent the last seven years in public service shaping policy and providing critical assistance where needed. I have served the Cayman Islands in the UK and the EU fighting directly for Cayman’s interests. As the Member of Parliament for West Bay South, I will continue my mission to serve.
Campaign Website / Social media channels:
Website: https://andreebanks.ky/
Facebook: @andreebanks
Instagram: @andreebanks
Raul Nicholson-Coe is running in West Bay South as he is passionate about improving the lives of all Caymanians.
He has a proven track record of building and running successful companies, creating jobs, improving the quality of life for families, and helping people develop the right skills to enjoy meaningful careers.
Raul has the right experience to successfully tackle the issues facing West Bay South, with over 30 years of experience leading some of Cayman’s largest organizations.
He is currently the CEO/Owner of Catalyst. Previously, he was CEO of Digicel Cayman and presently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors. He was also the CEO of AT&T Wireless/Cingular in Cayman, and the President & COO and Director of TeleCayman Ltd.
Raul’s extensive experience also extends to a number of boards in both public and private institutions. He served as a Trustee on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce Pension Fund and a member of the Cayman Islands Cycling Association. Raul is also a former board member of the Cayman Utilities Company (CUC) and the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA).
Raul was also the Deputy Chairman of the Technology and Infrastructure network team of the Special Economic Advisory Council.
Raul is a Board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands, and a Trustee of the International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI).
Raul holds a Diploma in Telecommunications Engineering and has successfully completed executive management courses at the Wharton Business School, Heriot Watt University MBA programme, and the University College of the Cayman Islands.
For the last 8 years, Raul and his wife Kathy have been major supporters of the John Gray Memorial Church food pantry, which supplies food to those who are struggling financially within the West Bay community. Most recently, Raul, Kathy, and Marcia Milgate have founded the Community Soup Kitchen in West Bay. What started with the sole intention to provide meals for anyone who needed it within the community – most notably during the recent pandemic – has become a symbol of togetherness and sheer will of the people to provide a better tomorrow for all Caymanians.
Top 3 National Issues to Be Addressed:
1. Education & employment opportunities
2. Cost of living
3. A new approach to housing
Top 3 Constituency Issues to Be Addressed:
1. Education
2. Cost of living
3. Unemployment
Social Media Channel Links:
● Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/nowfornicholsoncoe
● Instagram – https://instagram.com/nowfornicholsoncoe
● YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCotcS8jq48yYFHWJ0zTVwIg
