Frank Roulstone is the new Executive Director of the National Trust

(CMR) The National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI) has announced that Frank Roulstone will take over  from Annick Jackman as  Executive Director on 22 September. Mr. Roulstone previously served as General Manager of the NTCI, joining just a few days before the arrival of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, basically starting from scratch with no offices and only a receptionist employee.

At the end of his four and a half years tenure, the National Trust was financially stable with a functioning staff of 7, a modern office, several new historic sites and hundreds of acres of newly protected environmental properties under the organization's name.

Mr. Roulstone has extensive experience in the food, wine and spirits industry and is a lifetime member of the Cayman Islands Orchid Society and is a member of the Bloody Bay Pirates group. He has two adult children, Hayley and Hunter.

“I appreciate the opportunity to once again serve the National Trust for the Cayman Islands in the capacity of Executive Director. My involvement in the Trust goes back many years and includes being an elected Trust Council member, volunteer, supporter, member, and employee. After a career in business management spanning over 30 years, I am ready to take on the unique challenges awaiting,” Mr. Roulstone said.

“The mission of the Trust is certainly as important now as when it was created back in 1987 under the
National Trust Law. In my capacity as Executive Director, I look forward to, and will welcome, the cooperation and assistance of all stakeholders, especially the 71,000+ persons resident in these islands, in order to continue the 35-year-old mission of protecting our heritage for the benefit of present & future generations of the Cayman Islands,” the incoming NTCI Executive Director added.

National Trust for the Cayman Islands' Vice Chairman, Gregory McTaggart, expressed, “The Trust would like to welcome Mr. Frank Roulstone as the new Executive Director. Frank has spent a lifetime preserving and advocating for the protection of the flora, fauna, natural environment, and built and cultural heritage of the Cayman Islands.”

He added that as a born Caymanian, Mr. Roulstone helped write the definitive tome on the plants of the country, The Flora Of The Cayman Islands, and discovered a unique, highly endangered plant that now bears his name, Scolosanthus Roulstonii.

“Frank takes over from Ms. Annick Jackman, who guided the Trust through one of the most trying times in our lifetimes, COVID-19. She accomplished much during extraordinarily difficult times, and we will certainly miss Annick and her calm professionalism. We wish her well in her future endeavors as we welcome Frank as he now takes the reins from her steady hands,” Mr. McTaggart added.

Outgoing NTCI Executive Director Annick Jackman shares, “It has been an intense and fulfilling experience in the role of Executive Director for the NTCI. It was a pleasure to serve our islands through new initiatives to engage young people and the community, so they love and respect our heritage and environment. It was also good to establish new partnerships and drive policy which we hope will benefit our islands in the long term.”

She expressed that the staff and volunteers had been amazing to work with, given the challenges we faced during the pandemic.

She continued, “The National Trust is in an exciting place to review and update the 5-year strategic plan that guides the organization, and I am excited that Frank will be leading the team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience about the National Trust and this position. His passion and commitment for our mandate will help drive the organization forward.”

Ms. Jackman has been NTCI Executive Director since October 2020 and leaves the organization on 22 September 2022 to pursue new adventures. This allows for a transition period for Mr. Roulstone.