Matthew Hylton was appointed as the acting Deputy Chief Advisor in May 2021 and was officially appointed in 2023.

• Mr. Hylton assists the Chief Advisor with the oversight of the Strategic Reforms Implementation Unit (SRIU), which is a unit within the ODG that delivers strategic project support services to the Deputy Governor. The work of the SRIU includes:
• facilitation of project-related training for public servants, to build business case development and project governance and management skills;
• sharing of best-practice project management methodologies, tools and templates;
• guidance and support to project sponsors and teams in project, programme and portfolio management;
• delivery of strategic projects on behalf of the Deputy Governor.

The projects and support services delivered by the SRIU which Mr. Hylton has had has included:

• Programme and project management support to the Programme Board for the ‘Safe Opening of Our Borders Programme’ including the delivery of key projects within the programme and the development of key policies and operational procedures;
• The establishment and operation of the Travel Cayman Department, including the development of the departments policies and operational procedures;
• Programme and Project Management support to the Cayman Islands Child Safeguarding Board;
• Programme and project management support to the National Security Council for the ‘Anti-Gang Strategy and Plan’;

The above is just to name a few examples of the project and services delivered by the SRIU.

Education
Mr. Hylton graduated from the John Gray High School and earned his Associates of Arts degree in Social Studies at the University College of the Cayman Islands. He later attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs Michigan. He graduated from Andrews Cum Laude in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work as well as a Bachelors of Arts in Spanish Studies.

He holds a number of globally recognised professional certifications in the areas of Project Management, Business Case Writing and Change Management.

Civil Service Career

Mr Hylton joined the Cayman Islands Civil Service in 2002 as a Support Assistant in the Education Department before leaving to pursue his Bachelors Degree in 2005. He returned to the Cayman Islands in 2009 after completing his university studies and was appointed as a Social Worker in the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). During his time with DCFS, he was part of the team that delivered a pilot project for the creation of the Needs Assessment Unit (NAU) in 2012.

Mr. Hylton was instrumental in the establishment of the NAU as CIG department in 2013. He was one of the primary leads to develop the project whilst overseeing the operational delivery of services. He was a primary contributor to the development of a number of NAU policies as well as operational procedures for conducting client interviews and processing applications for financial assistance. 

He was appointed as acting Deputy Director for the NAU in 2015 and officially appointed to the role in 2016. In his capacity as Deputy Director he assisted the Director with oversight of the NAU’s budget and operations. He held this position until 2020 when he was appointed as a Senior Advisor in the SRIU prior to his appointment as DCA.

He was also the Interim Director of the Travel Cayman Department in 2021 until it was successfully transitioned to the oversight of the Ministry of Border Control and Labor.

Other Accomplishments

Mr. Hylton is fluent in both Spanish and English. He was awarded the Deputy Governor’s Employee of the Month Award in 2014 in recognition of his contribution to the creation of the NAU and the oversight of its daily operatoins. He was also awarded the King’s Certificate and Badge of Honor in 2021 for meritorious service rendered during the COVID-19 pandemic.