Young Caymanian appointed chief surveyor

(CMR) Young Caymanian Darren Kelly has landed the role of Chief Surveyor in the Department of Lands and Survey (Lands and Survey).

The Department said the appointment is an internal hire as part of a succession plan where Darren Kelly was identified as a potential successor to the role.

The Chief Surveyor of Lands and Survey holds responsibility for managing the Land Surveying section and its outputs, including the Cadastral Quality Assurance Unit and the Land Survey Office in Cayman Bracc.

The Chief Surveyor is the authority for the preparation and publication of the official maps of the Cayman Islands. Additionally, the Chief Surveyor provides technical expertise with the graphical mutation of Registry Maps in accordance with the Registered Land Act (1995 Revision). This includes revisions and verification of the correctness of Strata Plans submitted under the Strata Titles Registration Act (1996 Revision).

“My congratulations to Darren on this very well-deserved appointment as Chief Surveyor after successfully acting in the substantive role for 7 months. Darren’s commitment, hard work, determination and a willingness to learn, has enabled him experience and rapid promotion within the Department of Lands and Survey,” Director of Lands and Survey Mr. Uche Obi said.

“I am delighted that we have been able to appoint a deserving candidate to this senior post, demonstrating that Lands and Survey is committed to succession planning. I look forward to working with Mr. Kelly,” he added.

Darren Kelly is a Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)and a Licensed Land Surveyor. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Surveying and Mapping Science from the University of East London, a Land Surveying Technician—professional certificate from the University of Technology, Jamaica, a Commander in Control certificate (UAV/drone) from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands, and a Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management (ILM).

His employment journey reflects a record of consistent progression within the Lands and Survey, beginning as an Office Assistant in 2003, then rising through the ranks and serving in three different Survey Technician roles, then Geomatician, and finally, Senior Geomatician.

Throughout his extensive 20-year tenure, Mr. Kelly has accumulated a portfolio of key successes and accomplishments specific to his field of expertise. Notably, Darren Kelly chairs the Land Surveyors Board and the National Hydrographic Coordinating Committee (NHCC), liaising with the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) in regard to all International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) maritime safety notifications within the Cayman Islands’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

In addition to presiding over critical organized technical groups, Darren Kelly has spearheaded the development and management of key technical programs such as, but not limited to: the Land Surveying section's UAV/Drone program, the Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) network, the Cayman Island's Tidal monitoring network and the electronic survey (E-survey) in tandem with the wider E-Government initiative.

The Acting Chief Officer of the Ministry of District Administration and Lands, Wilbur Welcome, commented by saying, “Darren Kelly is a young Caymanian who exemplifies all the attributes and qualities necessary to be deemed world-class. Our Ministry is committed to fulfilling the Deputy Governor’s vision for succession planning throughout our organization. This includes our underlying departments such as Lands and Survey.”

“I am proud to see Lands and Survey position itself for sustainability and continued success by retaining critical institutional knowledge and experience honed by young stalwarts like Mr. Kelly. I look forward to seeing great things from Darren Kelly in the near future,” he added.

Chief Surveyor Darren Kelly expressed how elated he was about his new appointment and promises to enforce and develop regulations that promote good practice, with an ultimate goal of best serving the people of the Cayman Islands.

Mr. Kelly expressed, “I feel both immensely humbled and grateful to be in a position to lead the Surveying section of the Department of Lands and Survey. During my 20-year tenure, I have witnessed the Land Surveying sector evolve into a geospatial data bank to obtain a better understanding of our physical surroundings. “

He continued, “Although this information continues to support many sectors operating within the built and natural environment, there is a consensus that more must be done to provide the general public with adequate awareness on legal boundary matters while stoking the local population’s interest in the profession. My team and I look forward to spearheading this effort. I would further like to express my gratitude to the Lands & Survey Department and the Ministry of DAL for their continued support throughout my career with the Civil Service.”