Michael Martin will lead the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit. He will guide the next stage of the country’s investment migration programme.
The twin-island nation wants a stronger Citizenship by Investment Programme. The aim is to keep it a global benchmark.
The Prime Minister welcomed Martin at the Citizenship by Investment Unit. He said the timing matters. The country is evolving its Citizenship by Investment Programme. It wants smart investors. It also wants clear benefits for local citizens.
The Prime Minister said Martin is the right person for this goal. The aim is investment that lifts Kittitian and Nevisian society. It should also give real value to international investors.
Martin thanked the Prime Minister for the trust. He called it “this very important assignment.” He said he is ready for the new role.
Martin said the Unit will run a situational analysis first. The review will set the path ahead. The goal is to “maximize efficiency and effectiveness.”
“This is an operation that is very important to the development of the country, and to the people of the country. We will have to rebrand and refocus the programme, define our strategic goals, and create some new investment options that would be aligned to those strategic goals. ”
The Citizenship by Investment Programme is set for a full evolution. Martin said plans will put the country first. “We will be looking at emerging markets and redefining our target client. There must be some exclusivity to it,” he added.
St Kitts and Nevis welcomed a new administration in August. That team is working hard to revamp the citizenship by investment programme. This is the third stage of change. The programme is about four decades old. Leaders now want a modern programme. They also want stronger security systems.
Martin is a local Kittian. He has strong financial skills. He also brings strategic planning and compliance experience. He is expected to bring more stability to the CBI Unit. The Unit will also have more legislative and administrative oversight.
Martin worked before as a service provider in investment migration. His local roots help him see both sides. He knows what external stakeholders need. He also knows how the programme can uplift local people.
He will lead a focused expert team. The team will raise processing speed and accuracy. Strong due diligence will stay in place. Only investors of the highest calibre should be accepted.
St Kitts and Nevis’ Citizenship by Investment Programme will rest on three principles:
The enhanced programme follows a sustainable model. It aims to keep high integrity. It also aims for better administration.
The Programme will allow more transparency and accountability. Those traits support good governance. They also support a lasting Citizenship by Investment Programme.
Investment options will match market realities. The platinum brand built over four decades will stay protected. St Kitts and Nevis still runs the oldest citizenship by investment programme in the world.
Martin has served in top management roles. These include the National Caribbean Insurance Company, National Bank Trust Company, and Sagicor Life Inc. He was previously a director of the Insurance Association of the Caribbean. He was Honorary Secretary of the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Society Council of Management. He was also a director for First Federal Cooperative Credit Union.
He holds a graduate diploma from the International Compliance Association and Manchester Business School. He also holds a certificate in International Trust Management from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. He holds a certificate in Managing Financial Services from the University of the West Indies.
The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment programme was founded in 1984. It remains one of the most sought-after programmes of its kind. It is also one of the most awarded. It has taken top spot in the CBI Index. That ranking reviews operational citizenship by investment programmes around the world.
The programme still uses a strong multi-layered due diligence process. It works with top due diligence firms from the United Kingdom and the United States.
