Cayman Finance has recognised the 48 Caymanian students who completed its 2026 LEAD programme at the annual LEAD Celebration, held at Hotel Indigo on Thursday 10 September.
LEAD, which stands for Learn, Educate, Apply and Develop, is Cayman Finance’s flagship work experience initiative, connecting Caymanian high school students with careers in financial services. The programme runs in three stages. Between May and June, students attended eight one-hour interactive workshops delivered by professionals from member firms, covering career paths across the industry and workplace skills.
Over the same period, each student was paired with an experienced financial services professional for one-to-one mentorship. The programme concluded with a four-week paid work placement at a Cayman Finance member firm in July or August, giving students hands-on experience in a professional office environment.
The programme has run for more than a decade, and more than 400 students have taken part since its launch in 2015. LEAD ran from 2015 until it was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic and relaunched in 2023. Of the 262 students who completed the programme before the pause, more than 100 now work in financial services, in roles spanning legal services, accounting, compliance, fund services and insurance.
Danielle Hennings, Director of Finance, Operations and Community Engagement at Cayman Finance, said: “I am incredibly proud of this year’s 48 students and the commitment they have shown throughout the programme. LEAD gives young Caymanians an opportunity to experience the industry first-hand, build professional relationships and see the range of careers available to them. More than 100 of our past participants are now building careers in financial services, and I hope many of this year’s class will follow them.”
Minister for Finance & Economic Development and Minister for Education & Training, Rolston Anglin and Parliamentary Secretary Julie Hunter represented the Cayman Islands Government at the celebration and addressed the students. The industry the students are preparing to join directly employs around 6,700 people in Cayman, and Capital Economics analysis found that around 54% of those jobs are held by Caymanians.
LEAD sits within a wider set of Cayman Finance career pathway initiatives, including the Fundamentals of Financial Services workshop series for Year 9 students and the Graduate Training Programme for those entering the industry after further study. Applications for the 2027 LEAD programme will open in February.