A former national security minister forced to stand down has been unveiled as the new chairman of the board for the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

David Burt, the Premier, announced today that Wayne Caines, the MP for Devonshire North West, would replace Paul Telford with immediate effect.

Mr Telford, a hotelier who served in the role for three years, stepped down earlier this month.

Kim Swan, the Progressive Labour Party MP for St George’s West, has also joined the BTA board.

Mr Burt, who also holds the portfolio for tourism, said Mr Caines had “a strong academic background with professional qualifications in history and law” and has served as a junior tourism minister.

He is a former chief executive of Digicel Bermuda and Seniac Consulting.

Mr Caines has also been as Chief of Staff to Ewart Brown when he was Premier and a senator, with responsibilities for transport, environment and sport, as well as tourism.

He is a graduate of the University of Kent School of Law and qualified as a Royal Bermuda Regiment officer after he attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK.

Mr Burt said: “Wayne is also at home with corporate governance and brings to this role significant boardroom experience.

“He is a proven, energetic and committed leader.”

Mr Caines was the national security minister from July 2017 to July 2020.

He stepped down, along with Zane DeSilva as Minister of Tourism and Transport, in the wake of a party last July at Blu Bar and Grill in Warwick that breached Covid-19 regulations.

Mr Swan has served on several government boards and parliamentary committees.

He is a former chairman of the Parliamentary joint select committee on the pepper spray controversy of December 2, 2016, a former chairman of the Road Safety Council, and a former member of the Police Complaints Authority, Immigration Board, Charity Commission and the St George's Golf Course Advisory Committee.

He has represented Bermuda at several Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conferences in Bermuda, the Caribbean and Tanzania, including being a presenter in Uganda on the Benchmarks of the CPA.

Mr Swan, a former pro golfer, was the first Bermudian to compete as a member on the PGA European Golf Tour.

He earlier represented Troy State University in Alabama and won two NCAA collegiate golf championships.

Mr Burt thanked Mr Telford for his work while at the BTA.

He said: “Since 2017, Bermuda and the BTA have been fortunate to enjoy the selfless service of an outstanding board chairman in Paul Telford.

“Paul is a consummate professional whose expertise in his chosen field has seen him go from strength to strength.

“I wish to thank him for these three years of service and as he continues his work in Turks & Caicos Islands.

“My hope is that we will one day soon have a hotel in Bermuda that will coax him to once again return home.”

Mr Burt added: “The seismic shift in global travel outlook will usher in an era of change in the definition of tourism norms.

“Before Covid, Bermuda may have slipped in under the radar screen, cautiously measuring tourism success against bad years and reinventing statistics to present a picture of niche successes.

“That tide has gone out and the world is now exposed. As a destination we must be determined not to replicate those lean years but to create a revival of our tourism economy that is led by presenting a relevant, vibrant, value for money product that can again be the envy of the world and provide careers for our people.”

Mr Telford’s hospitality career began as a teenage busboy.

He has worked on the island and overseas and was managing director of Rosewood Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa, now Rosewood Bermuda.

Mr Telford was appointed general manager of The Shore Club in Turks & Caicos in 2019.

Stephen Todd, the BTA deputy chairman, also thanked Mr Telford.

Mr Todd said: “His tenure has helped shape the organisation’s strategic focus and added value to what we’ve been able to accomplish for the overall betterment of the hospitality and hotel industry.

“We now welcome Wayne to this critical role – his leadership experience is an asset as we collectively tackle global challenges to restart the hospitality sector and continue advancing the National Tourism Plan.

“We also welcome Kim, who has been a longtime advocate for Bermuda tourism and brings a wealth of insight.”