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Corporate Movements – July 2024

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Mr. Avinash Bissessar, Group Chief Investment Officer JMMB Group has tendered his resignation, effective September 18, 2024. Mr. Bissessar has made the difficult decision to leave his JMMB family to explore other opportunities for his personal growth and development . The JMMB team wishes Mr. Bissessar all the very best in his new endeavors. We are grateful for his impeccable and tireless service to JMMB. Mr Paul Gray Group Executive Special Projects, will return to the role of Group Chief Investment Officer on September 18, 2024. Mr Gray held this role prior to being seconded to our Dominican Republic operations, in the capacity Interim Country Head, in January 2017 when we needed his blend of leadership skills and experience to support their effective integration into the Group.

The Board of Directors of PROVEN Group Limited, hereby notifies the Jamaica Stock Exchange that it has received notice from PROVEN Management Limited (the Investment Managers of the Group) that Mr. Christopher Williams, the long-standing CEO of PROVEN Management Limited (“PML”) and co-founder of PROVEN Group Limited, will retire from hisrole in PML’s day-to-day operations effective January 31, 2025. Christopher Williams has served as President & CEO of PROVEN Management Limited since inception and January 31, 2025 marks a significant milestone, as it will be the fifteenth anniversary of the Group, which has benefited from his dynamic and visionary leadership at PML. Over this period, PROVEN has grown into one of the Caribbean’s premier providers of financial solutions, with significant strategic expansion, including the launch of PROVEN Wealth (Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, and Barbados), PROVEN Properties, PROVEN Private Capital and PROVEN Bank (with operations in St. Lucia and the Cayman Islands). While retiring from daily executive operations, Williams will remain a significant shareholder, active director of PML, and member of the Investment Management Committee and will continue to sit on the board of directors of a number of PROVEN Group’s subsidiaries. In these capacities, Williams’ expertise, strategic insight, and guidance will remain an invaluable asset to the ongoing growth and success of the Group.

Wisynco Group Limited (Wisynco) wishes to advise our shareholders and the investing public of the following change to our executive management team, in accordance with the main market rules of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Wisynco is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Tabitha Athey as Chief Commercial Officer, effective July 1, 2024. She brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in commercial strategy and sales management, and we are confident that her expertise will drive Wisynco to new heights.

Caribbean Producers (Jamaica) Limited (JSE:CPJ) (“CPJ”) announced that A.S. Bryden & Sons Holdings Limited (JSE:ASBH) (“ASBH”) has acquired a
44.8% strategic stake in CPJ.  Nicholas Hospedales was appointed Chief Executive Officer of CPJ effective July 9, 2024. Mr. Hospedales is a senior executive at ASBH, having previously led its food and grocery, premium beverage and operations units over the last decade. Prior to his roles at ASBH, Mr. Hospedales held various regional leadership roles at Nestle. Richard Pandohie, the Chief Executive Officer of ASBH was appointed Chairman of CPJ effective July 9, 2024. Tom Tyler, CPJ’s Co-Founder was appointed Deputy Chairman of CPJ and will serve as a consultant to the Company focused on customer and supplier relationships and business development opportunities. Mark Hart and Candace Hart will remain the Directors of CPJ. In addition to Mr. Pandohie and Mr. Hospedales, ASBH directors Nicholas Scott, Michael Conyers and David Franco were appointed new directors of CPJ replacing Christopher Berry, Konrad Berry, Camille Shields, Frank O’Dowd and Mark Hall who has resigned.

tTech Limited announced, following a meeting of its Board of Directors on July 12, 2024. Effective July 12, 2024: Messrs. Kevin Gordon and Rob Mayo-Smith were appointed directors of the company.
Mr. Norman Chen resigned as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Kevin Gordon was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer.
The Directors thank Norman for his service and leadership during his period with the company. His leadership as CEO since December 2022, has been instrumental in navigating the company through significant changes and challenges. His dedication and vision have contributed significantly to the Company’s growth and positioned tTech as a leader in the industry. and we wish him every success in his future endeavours. Mr. Chen continues to serve as a director. Kevin Gordon and Rob Mayo-Smith are the owners of Simply Secure Limited, a company which acquired 49.1% of the issued ordinary shares of tTech Limited. Both Kevin and Rob are experienced executives in the Telecommunications and Information Technology sectors, and the company looks forward to benefitting from their experience and expertise.

Access Financial Services Limited (AFS) wishes to advise of the changes in the leadership positions within the Board of Directors, as decided in the recent Board meeting held on June 27, 2024. The Executive Chairman, Mr. Marcus James requested a one-year leave of absence from his role effective June 27, 2024. During this period, Mr. James will continue to serve on the Board. His request was granted, and Mr. Michael Shaw was subsequently appointed as the new Chairman of the Board. Mr. Shaw brings extensive leadership experience in the financial sector, having served in senior positions where he consistently exceeded targets, improved efficiency, and delivered strong financial results. Additionally, the Board has appointed Mrs. Charmaine Boyd-Walker as the Chairman of the Audit & Risk Management Committee. Mrs. Boyd-Walker has over 25 years of experience in accounting and finance, with significant expertise in audit and accounting standards, internal controls, compliance, and risk management. The Board has full confidence in these changes and looks forward to the exceptional contributions that the new appointees will make in their respective roles.

Access Financial Services Limited (AFS), wishes to advise of the resignation of Ms. Sherri Murray as Company Secretary of the Board, effective July 8, 2024. The Board extends its gratitude to Ms. Murray for her contributions and wishes her all the best in her future endeavours. AFS further advises that Ms. Carla Stephens-Mullings has been appointed as the new Company Secretary, effective July 9, 2024.

The JPS Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Hugh Grant as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment takes effect on August 1, 2024. Hugh Grant has more than twenty-five years of experience in the utility business, with extensive industry knowledge across the generation, transmission, and distribution sectors of the industry. He joins JPS from Consolidated Edison Company, the energy company that serves the ten million people of New York and Westchester in the US. In his most recent position, Grant served as the vice president of Steam Operations at Con Edison. In this capacity, he was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and the P&L of the district steam business in Manhattan, a system that has the lowest greenhouse gas emissions of any energy system in New York City. During his time at Con Edison, Grant served in a variety of positions, with increased responsibility and impact on the company. Prior to his most recent assignment, Grant was the vice president of Substation Operations and was responsible for the more than one hundred electric transmission and distribution substations throughout the service territory, serving a customer demand of over 13,000MW.Grant is of Jamaican origin. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Florida International University in Miami, Florida, a Master of Science degree in information
systems from Pace University and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University in New York City.

The management of Radio Jamaica Limited (RJL), the parent company in the RJRGLEANER Communications Group (“the Group”) advises that a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) designate, Ms. Karla Stephens-Hall has been identified. Ms. Stephens-Hall started work at the Group on Monday, July 8, 2024.

Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) wishes to advise that Mrs. Clair-Ann Kennedy the CEO of Supreme Ventures Services Limited and Ibet SV Ghana resigned effective 30 June 2024.  Mrs Kennedy has been a valuable and respected member of the SVL Group Executive team. SVL thanks her for the hard work and commitment that she has displayed during her tenure with the Group. Mrs Kennedy will be pursuing other interests and personal projects. In the interim period, Ms. Krista-Gaye Fisher SVP Legal, Regulatory and Compliance will assume the responsibilities of CEO for SVSL.

Mr. Doug Hewson resigned from the Portland JSX Limited (PJX) Board effective July 12, 2024 and Mr. Ricardo Hutchinson was appointed a Director and Board Chairman effective on the same date.

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Jamaica Successfully Concludes 18-Month IMF Programme

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Jamaica has successfully completed the 18-month International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme under the Precautionary and Liquidity Line (PLL) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) Chairman, Keith Duncan, said the IMF Executive Board concluded the third and final reviews on August 30.

“The PLL continues to be treated as precautionary and the completion of the reviews allow for an immediate disbursement of US$980 million under the PLL and US$258 million under the RSF, which was drawn on by the BOJ (Bank of Jamaica) on September 4, 2024,” Mr. Duncan explained.

He was addressing Friday’s (September 13) EPOC Quarterly Press Briefing, which was held virtually.

Mr. Duncan said that all structural benchmarks were achieved and the BOJ exceeded the indicative target for net international reserves.

“A target that was narrowly missed due to a smaller-than-expected surplus at March 31, 2024, had a negligible impact on the debt consolidation plan,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Mr. Duncan said the Fiscal Commission is to commence operation in the calendar year 2025.

The Commission, which will be the guardian and interpreter of Jamaica’s fiscal rules, will monitor compliance with these, report on outcomes and keep the public informed by providing independent analysis on fiscal policy developments.

In March 2023, Courtney Williams was sworn in as Jamaica’s first Fiscal Commissioner.

By: Judith A. Hunter, JIS

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Bank Of Jamaica Consulting Stakeholders on Practice Period for Twin Peaks Model of Financial Regulation

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The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) is holding consultations with key stakeholders on the Twin Peaks Model of Financial Regulation and Supervision as part of the implementation of a practice period, prior to the passage of supporting legislation.

These talks are being held with several groups, including the Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ), Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA), Jamaica Securities Dealers Association (JSDA) and Pension Industry Association of Jamaica (PIAJ).

This was disclosed by BOJ Governor and Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman, Richard Byles, during the inaugural IAJ business conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on Wednesday (September 11).

Mr. Byles, who delivered the keynote address during the opening ceremony, said while the Twin Peaks legislation is not expected to be enacted before 2026, it is imperative that elements of the new system be instituted prior to its passage.

These elements include improved standards relating to market conduct and consumer protection, similar to the recently introduced guidelines for the operation of automated banking machines (ABMs) by deposit-taking institutions, including commercial banks.

“Twin Peaks is really an effort to reorganise who supervises what… and what will happen is that the Bank of Jamaica will be responsible for all institutions in the financial sector, from a prudential point of view; that means balance sheets, profit and loss, that aspect of the operation of institutions in the financial network. The Financial Services Commission will be responsible for all [of the] financial sector from the point of view of market conduct and customer protection,” Mr. Byles stated.

“So, the Bank of Jamaica will have a 360-degree view of all of the financial network, prudentially, and the FSC will have a 360-degree view of all the financial network from a market conduct and customer protection point of view,” he added.

Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor, Richard Byles, shares pleasantries with (from left) Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ) President, Sharon Donaldson, and Vice President, Rosemarie Henry, during the IAJ’s inaugural business conference at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Wednesday (September 11).

Mr. Byles said the discussions will also enable stakeholders from the various groups to raise any concerns they may have about the new regulatory model.

“It is a way for them to see what we want and for us to know what is possible, and what may be a bit too far at this point in time,” the Governor further stated.

Under the Twin Peaks Model, which was announced in 2023 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, BOJ will assume full responsibility for prudential supervision of all bank and non-bank financial institutions from the FSC.

The Commission will be transformed into a new regulatory entity that supervises these institutions from the perspective of market conduct and protection of consumers of financial services.

By: Chris Patterson, JIS

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Business Events

Jamaica Stock Exchange Regional Conference “Guyana’s Capital Markets: Wealth Creation and Retention”.

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This conference will be held on October 8 – 9, 2024, at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, Seawall Road, Kingston – Georgetown, Guyana.

Guyana’s Conference will be centred on the theme, “Guyana’s Capital Markets: Wealth Creation and Retention”. The President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali is expected to open the Conference. He will be joined by visiting government dignitaries from Jamaica, other Caribbean Regions, and the rest of the Diaspora.

For More Information CLICK HERE

 

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Jamaica and Brazil Forge Partnership to Promote Tourism Resilience – Bartlett

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Discussions on Jamaica-Brazil Airlift Agreement Well Advanced

The Jamaica based Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate cooperation in boosting tourism resilience.

The areas of cooperation covered under the MOU include: Climate resilience in tourism; Entrepreneurial tourism resilience; Tourism security resilience; and Tourism pandemic resilience.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett revealed that the partnership will also see the establishment of a GTRCMC satellite centre at the University of San Luis.

This partnership, formalised during a ceremony in São Luís, Brazil, earlier this week, seeks to equip stakeholders with the tools to navigate future challenges and build a more resilient tourism industry.

Minister Bartlett, who signed the MOU alongside his Brazilian counterpart, Hon. Celso Sabino and Governor of Maranhão, Carlos Brandão, emphasised the importance of this collaboration.

“Building resilience has become the foundation on which sustainability can be achieved. So, my colleague, Minister Sabino and I will build, together, an intellectual institution to develop resilience and make stakeholders capable of recognising difficulties and overcoming them quickly, with the best information, good ideas and innovation,” Minister Bartlett said.

It was noted that the establishment of the GTRCMC satellite centre at the University of San Luis will take place in September 2024, coinciding with the G20 Tourism Ministers’ meeting, at which Minister Bartlett is expected to present on tourism resilience and sustainability.

Additionally, Jamaica is poised to become the most connected English-speaking Caribbean destination to Brazil and by extension South America, following high-level discussions led by Minister Bartlett, and his Brazilian counterpart, Minister Sabino.

The discussions focused on securing full air connectivity between the two countries and strengthening tourism collaboration.

Minister Bartlett also noted that the Brazilian government has expressed its willingness to offer incentives to airlines operating this route, a significant step towards enhancing connectivity and facilitating travel between the two countries.

“This will undoubtedly deepen our social and cultural ties to South America, opening the door to new economic opportunities for all countries in the region. Our meetings with Brazilian stakeholders underscore our commitment to fostering sustainable growth and expanding Jamaica’s reach in Latin America,” Minister Bartlett added.

Minister Bartlett’s visit to Brazil also included meetings with public and private sector stakeholders, where discussions focused on further strengthening the tourism partnership.

Mr. Bartlett further explained that the collaboration is expected to significantly increase the number of Brazilian visitors to Jamaica, contributing to the country’s economic growth and development.

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Private Sector Invited to Seize Growth Opportunities in Jamaica

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Private-sector stakeholders are being encouraged to seize growth opportunities in Jamaica.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, made the call while addressing the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Partners’ Circle Meeting at the entity’s head office in Kingston on Friday (August 23).

He emphasised the potential for economic growth through strategic partnerships and innovative initiatives within Jamaica’s business landscape.

Senator Hill further highlighted the importance of leveraging local resources to stimulate economic development.

“Making houses is one of the things that we can do. You have the land or you can get the land from [the National Housing Trust] NHT, and if you build to the [specifications] and price point of the NHT, they will buy the houses off you,” he stated.

Senator Hill said the focus should be on scalable housing projects that can create employment opportunities and empower individuals to become homeowners.

In response to the Minister’s call for innovation in the housing sector, Managing Director, Caribbean Cement Company, Jorge Martinez Mora, shared insights into the entity’s US$50-million investment to expand production capacity by 25 to 30 per cent.

“Right now, the market is one million, and with this increased capacity, we’ll be able to cover [demand],” he said.

Mr. Mora further emphasised the need to train Jamaicans in cutting-edge building techniques, to meet the industry’s evolving demands, signalling a commitment to skills development within the workforce.

Meanwhile, Senator Hill underscored the untapped potential of crops that could yield significant economic rewards for Jamaica if they were treated as orchard crops.

He referred to food items such as breadfruit, avocado, ackee and mango, urging business owners to view these crops as viable commodities for economic growth.

Highlighting the need for enhanced security measures in agricultural operations, Minister Hill drew parallels between securing perishable goods, like mangoes, and protecting valuable assets in the business world.

In a notable example of government support for local businesses, he recalled a scenario where Lydford Mining Company bought equipment for US$2.4 million and got back US$500,000 in customs duties and fees waived, as a result of the Productive Input Relief (PIR).

As such, the Minister extended an invitation for manufacturers to explore similar cost-saving opportunities through customs duty waivers, emphasising the importance of maximising incentives to drive industry growth.

Senator Hill encouraged the PSOJ Partners’ Circle to explore collaborative ventures in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly highlighting the Caymanas location in St. Catherine as a prime investment destination.

With significant tax benefits and government support for private-sector ventures in SEZs, he underscored the potential for creating a robust consortium of Jamaican businesses to capitalise on emerging opportunities.

PSOJ President, Metry Seaga, echoed Minister Hill’s sentiments, advocating for members to consider SEZ investments as a strategic pathway for expanding their businesses.

Mr. Seaga emphasised the Caymanas Economic Zone’s strategic advantage as an ideal SEZ location, due to its accessibility and infrastructure support.

By: Andrew Laidley JIS

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