Bruce Smith Appointed as Director (Designate), Customs and Border Control Service

The Ministry of Border Control and Labour announces the appointment of Mr Bruce Smith as Director (Designate), Customs and Border Control Service (CBC). Mr. Smith will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of CBC’s operations, including border security, revenue collection, and trade facilitation.

He brings over three decades of experience in the Cayman Islands Civil Service to the Directorship of CBC with his recent position serving as Senior Deputy Director of CBC, where he was responsible for a wide range of operations, including intelligence, investigations, and border control in the Sister Islands. Before his current appointment at CBC in February 2019, his tenure included twenty-one (21) years at legacy HM Customs and eleven (11) years at the legacy Department of Immigration.

Mr Smith is a highly respected leader with a proven track record of success. He is known for his strategic thinking, operational excellence, and ability to build and motivate high-performing teams.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Bruce Smith as Director (Designate) of CBC,” said Wesley Howell, Chief Officer of the Ministry of Border Control & Labour. “He is a highly experienced and accomplished leader with a deep understanding of the organization and its mission. We are confident that he will lead CBC to even greater success in the years to come.”

Mr Smith will be assuming the role of Director of CBC on August 1, 2024 and will work alongside the current Director Charles Clifford, until Mr. Clifford retires on the 31st July 2024. The planned handover period is an important part of the leadership transition and will ensure that Mr. Smith is strategically prepared to assume the Directorship of CBC and effectively continue its transition to an intelligence-led risk management organization. The handover period will also give Mr. Smith time, with CBC’s Senior Management Team, to review their 2022-2026 Five-Year Strategic Plan and make adjustments, where necessary, to counter new and emerging threats at our border. He will also use the transition period to build relationships with key stakeholders.

“We are committed to a smooth and successful handover of the leadership of CBC,” said CBC Director Charles Clifford. “I am confident that Mr. Smith is the right person to lead CBC into the future and I look forward to working with him and our entire amazing CBC team to ensure a seamless transition.”

Mr. Smith is a graduate of Triple C School and has completed various leadership and management training courses over the span of his extensive law enforcement career. He has received numerous service, supervisory and leadership awards including, Civil Servant of Year.

Over the many years, he served as a valuable resource on various Boards, Tribunals, and Committees. For a period of five years, he served determinedly as Head of Marine (Marine Commander) of what was previously the Joint Police and Customs Marine Unit now, the Cayman Islands Coast Guard.

“I am honored to be appointed Director (Designate) of CBC,” said Mr Bruce Smith. “I am passionate about public service, and I look forward to working with the talented team at CBC to protect our borders, collect revenue, and facilitate trade. I am confident that together we can build a more secure and prosperous Cayman Islands.”