Alden McLaughlin

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Sir Alden McLaughlin Jr., born 6 September 1961 in George Town, Cayman Islands, is a Caymanian politician and lawyer. A member of the People’s Progressive Movement (PPM), he has represented the Red Bay constituency in Parliament since 2000 and is a King’s Counsel (KC). He served as Leader of the Opposition from 2011 to 2013 and as Premier of the Cayman Islands from 2013 to 2021. In 2023, he was elected Speaker of the Parliament, a role he held until March 2025. He decided not to seek re-election in the 2025 General Election.

Education and early career
Alden McLaughlin grew up in George Town and studied law at the University of Liverpool, earning an LLB in 1988. He was called to the Cayman Islands bar the same year and worked as a lawyer, becoming a partner at Charles Adams & Co. He began his career in public service in 1981 as an Assistant Labour Officer and later served as Deputy Clerk of the Court in 1982. He contributed to constitutional reform, leading discussions that produced the 2009 Cayman Islands constitution, and championed education reform, including a national curriculum and the modernization of schools.

Political career
McLaughlin helped found the People’s Progressive Movement and led the party from 2011 to 2021. He served as Minister for Education, Training, Employment, Youth, Sports and Culture (2005–2009), and later held other senior roles in government, including Home Affairs, Health, Employment, Border Control, International Trade, Investment, Aviation and Maritime Affairs. He became Premier after the 2013 election and led a government coalition, serving a second term after the 2017 election. In 2023 he was unanimously elected Speaker of the Cayman Islands Parliament.

Honours and personal life
McLaughlin was awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2010 for services to constitutional reform and was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 2022 for services to the people of the Cayman Islands. He is married to Kim McLaughlin and they have two adult sons. He is a Justice of the Peace, a former president of the Lions Club of Grand Cayman, an avid cyclist, and enjoys reading. He is also a farmer, focusing on his East End property known as Company Place Grounds.