Caymanian Deputy Ombudsman Appointed

The Ombudsman, Sharon Roulstone, is pleased to announce, ahead of International Women's Day on 8 March, the appointment of home-grown talent and a consummate Caymanian professional to a key leadership position within the Office of the Ombudsman. Mrs. Shamique Frederick was appointed as the Deputy Ombudsman for Complaints earlier this year and is only the second Caymanian to hold that post since the creation of the office in 2017. Ms. Roulstone was the first.

Mrs. Frederick was appointed to the newly created Assistant Ombudsman position last year and, due in large part to her own strong performance as well as the Office of the Ombudsman's succession planning and training initiatives, was well-positioned to compete for the Deputy Ombudsman role when it became available in early 2026.

The recruitment drew numerous qualified applicants from inside and outside the Office. Following a process that included written assessments and multiple in-person interviews, Mrs. Frederick was selected for the position, with her appointment taking effect on 12 January 2026.

"It is particularly gratifying to appoint someone like Shamique, who has spent her entire professional career with the Office of the Ombudsman, starting here as a trainee following the initial establishment of the office and working her way up through the ranks, in both Divisions," said the Ombudsman, Ms. Roulstone. "It's a great example of what can occur when talent, hard work and opportunity converge at the right time, with the right person. I hope it serves as an example, particularly to other young Caymanian women, that these opportunities are available if you have the drive to succeed and are willing to put in the time."  

In marking the upcoming International Women's Day on Sunday, Ms. Roulstone notes that all senior management positions at the Ombudsman's office are currently held by women. These include the Deputy Ombudsman for Information Rights, Daiana Sipos; Assistant Ombudsman for Information Rights, Jerray Vassell; Deputy Ombudsman for Complaints, Shamique Frederick; and Ombudsman Sharon Roulstone. An Assistant Ombudsman for the Complaints Team will be appointed at a later date.

"Over the years, we have been fortunate at the Office of the Ombudsman to have a plethora of qualified men and women available for these positions," Ms. Roulstone said, "It simply happens that, as of today, our office is managed entirely by women, and we thought it appropriate to take note of that as we approach International Women's Day."

Mrs. Frederick has over eight years of regulatory and investigative experience, developed through her work under the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act. Her expertise includes managing complex investigations, handling sensitive matters with fairness and balance, and engaging effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons) from the University of Liverpool, a degree in Literary Studies from the University College of the Cayman Islands, and Practitioner Certificates in Freedom of Information (PC.foi) and Data Protection (PC.dp). She is also a qualified civil and commercial mediator, a TCM Accredited Investigator, and has advanced her leadership skills through the Institute of Leadership Management (ILM). In addition, she has completed investigative training with the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, including the Serious and Complex Investigation Course, PIP 2 Suspect Interview Course, and PIP 2 Witness Interview Course, which provided valuable insight into policing practices and operational procedures which strengthens the Office's ability to conduct informed oversight investigations.

Expressing her gratitude, Mrs. Frederick said "My journey to becoming Deputy Ombudsman has taught me that your starting point does not define your destination. From my first day as an intern to my current senior leadership role, my compass has remained the same: to serve the public with absolute integrity. I hope my journey serves as a reminder to Caymanians beginning their professional journey that every stage of a career is an opportunity to build character and expertise. With hard work and a commitment to service, meaningful opportunities are attainable right here at home."

The Office of the Ombudsman is an impartial and independent office of Parliament that acts as a guardian of fairness, transparency, and accountability for the Cayman Islands. The office comprises two divisions: the Complaints Division and the Information Rights Division. It investigates complaints about government services and police misconduct, decides appeals related to requests for government records, and receives reports of personal data breaches and whistleblower disclosures from both the public and private sectors.