Keitha Caines has been appointed director of finance, data and administration at the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation.

The BEDC said Mrs Caines was selected to join the organisation’s executive management team after a competitive interview process.

She will help to deliver on the strategic direction of the BEDC under the guidance of the board of directors and executive director, Erica Smith.

Mrs Caines joins the organisation after seven years at the Bermuda Tourism Authority, where served as general accountant, playing a key role in overseeing the financial operations of the Bermuda Visitor Service Centre project, the BEDC said.

She has had a working relationship with the BEDC since May of last year, initially through a partnership between BEDC and the BTA to assist with the Covid-19 business continuity and sustainability funding programme for small and medium sized businesses impacted by the coronavirus, as well as with BEDC’s commercial kitchens project, facilitating matching of unused commercial kitchens with entrepreneurs in the food service and home bakery industries.

The BEDC said her experience in managing the fiscal responsibilities of the BTA will transfer well, helping the BEDC best use its finances for the betterment of its own operations as well as the betterment of the thousands of small and medium sized entrepreneurs it serves.

Mrs Caines holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Oakwood University and a master of business administration degree in global business leadership-accounting from Johnson & Wales University.

She holds the designation of certified public accountant and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the CPA Bermuda organisation.

Mrs Caines has been a member of the St George’s Parish Council since 2018.

The BEDC said Mrs Caines brings her passion for entrepreneurship to the role, with first-hand knowledge of what it takes to be an entrepreneur, as a business owner herself.

She is a minority partner of Bermuda Communications Group, Ltd.

Mrs Caines said: “I am looking forward to the challenge of the new role, but I am most looking forward to being inspired by the persons I will get to work with within the organisation, as well as the entrepreneurial community.”

She added: “In taking on this new role my goal is to create efficiencies and add value to the BEDC.”

Mrs Smith said: “BEDC is extremely pleased to have Mrs Caines join the organisation. The team and I have had the pleasure of working with her in the past and she has proven herself to be a consummate professional with a passion for entrepreneurship and community and is committed to help advance the BEDC forward."