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Corporate Movements February 2019

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Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited (SJ) has announced a number of Senior Management Changes, in what the company is describing as a move in keeping with its strategy to transform its immediate business objectives.
As such SJ will be making changes to its operating structure, which will see two senior officer, Mrs. Simone Walker, Vice President – Group Marketing and Mr. Philip Armstrong Executive Vice President – Strategy and Innovation and Chief Technology Officer, demitting office on February 28, 2019 and May 24,2019, respectively.
Simone Walker according to her LinkedIn profile had joined the Sagicor Group in April of 2018, coming from The Brand House Agency as a Marketing Consultant and Scotiabank Jamaica, where she held the position of Director, Marketing Programmes.
Philip Armstrong had previously held the position of Deputy CEO & Director for Sagicor Bank Jamaica, before taking on the role of Executive Vice President – Strategy and Innovation and Chief Technology Officer
Mrs. Alysia Moulton White will head the Group Marketing Department in the capacity of Assistant Vice President Group Marketing.
It was not clear if this was a promotion for Moulton-White as her LinkedIn profile indicated that she has been Assistant Vice President since Jan 2018.
A new role – Chief Information Officer – has been established to drive the digitization strategy of the Group. The Company is in the process of recruiting a new candidate to fill this position.

Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) has advised of the appointment of Mr. Nicholas Browne as the Senior Vice President – Group Operations, effective March 4, 2019. Mr. Browne will be responsible for Business Architecture and Process, Group Security & Surveillance, Group Facilities and Maintenance, as well as Technical Field Services.“Prior to joining SVL, Mr. Browne worked with IGT, formerly GTECH, as the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Senior Support Engineer/Manager. He has extensive gaming industry knowledge and experience across all segments of the gaming. He has been an integral part of the rollout of lottery operations in the Caribbean and Latin American regions. He served in several capacities during his tenure at IGT including Corporate Engineer, Operations Manager, Project Manager, Technical Trainer and Technical Services Manager. Mr. Browne holds his degrees in both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and also holds certifications in Project Management, Facilities Management, Maintenance and Repairs, Industrial Mechanics and is also GLI certified,” states SVL.

Express Catering Limited (ECL) has advised that Mr. Harriat Maragh was appointed a Director of the Company on February 25, 2019.

SSL Venture Capital Jamaica Limited (SSLVC) has advised of the appointment of Mr. Mark Croskery as CEO SSL Venture Capital Jamaica Limited, effective March 1, 2019. SSLVC further advised that Mr. Croskery is also SSLVC’s Chairman.

tTech Limited (TTECH) has advised of the appointment of Ms. Tracey-Ann Spence as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company. TTech further advised that the appointment was made, with immediate effect, at a Board Meeting held on February 19, 2019.
“Ms. Spence is the Vice-President of Investments at NCB Capital Markets Limited, apposition she has held since 2017. She is an accomplished professional with an outstanding record in the financial services industry for over 15 years. “A Wolmerian, Ms. Spence holds degrees from York University and the University of the West Indies, as well as professional certification from the Project Management Institute. She is also a graduate of the Jamaica Stock Exchange/PSOJ professional development programme, A Director’s Guide to Corporate Governance and Leadership, and an adjunct lecturer in financial management at The Mona School of Business & Management Master of Business Administration program,” states TTECH.

Lamar Harris moves on from SSL
After seven years at Stocks & Securities Limited, CEO Lamar Harris, has decided to leave the post to pursue personal initiatives. A lawyer by profession, Harris, made the bold decision after careful consideration and has given the company a month’s notice to find a suitable replacement.She started her SSL journey as their Invest Bank Manager listing Caribbean Cream (Kremi), Consolidated Bakeries (Purity) on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. From there Harris was promoted to VP sales and then General Manager of the Business. For the last year she has acted in the capacity of CEO where she proudly spearheaded a series of advancements and changes including cost control, compliance and policies and procedures, all with the mandate of creating a company versed in financial technology. The company’s revenue position was also strengthened under her watch. As a growth strategist, Harris was responsible for pulling together a dynamic team passionate about their work. She oversaw Development Strategy, Product Development,Business Development and Monitoring of budgetary expenditure.

Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited (SJ) has advised that the Company has restructured its Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance Department (ERMC) in keeping with its strategy to improve its business. SJ further advised that effective March 22, 2019, Miss Hope Wint, Vice President, Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance will demit office and Mrs. Danielle Davidson will join the Group to head the Unit with effect from March 25, 2019. Mrs. Davidson will operate as Chief Risk Officer and Compliance Officer.“Mrs Davidson who was selected by a special search committee has over ten (10) years experience in management positions in the areas of Compliance and Risk Management,” SJ stated.

138 Student Living Jamaica Limited (138SL) has advised that at its Board Meeting on February 11, 2019, the Board of Directors approved the appointment of the Mr. Ian Parsard as director of the company effective February 11, 2019.

Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited (CPJ) has advised that Mr. Frank O’Dowd was appointed a Director of the Board in a resolution passed at the Board Meeting held on February 11, 2019.
CPJ further advised that Mr. Robert Hooker, having served as a Director since June 2011, has given the Board of Directors notice of his intention to retire from his role as a Director, effective February 11, 2019.

SSL Ventures Capital Jamaica Limited (SSL VC) has advised of the resignation of Mr. Drew Gray, CEO SSL Venture Capital Jamaica Limited, with effect on February 28, 2019. SSL VC further advised that Mr. Gray is leaving SSL Venture Capital Jamaica Limited to pursue other personal interests and that Mr. Gray will continue to serve on the Board of Directors and the Audit and Remuneration Committees of SSL Venture Capital Jamaica Limited.

Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited (CPJ) has advised that Mr. Frank O’Dowd was appointed a director of the Board in a resolution passed at the Board Meeting held on February 11, 2019.,

Cable Bahamas Limited (CAB) has advised of the following appointments:
1. Mr. Ross McDonald was appointed as Chairman effective January 25, 2019.
2. Mr. Michael J. Maura Jr. has been appointed a Director effective January 15, 2019.
The full complement of CAB’s Board is as follows:
Ross McDonald, Chairman/Director
Franklyn Butler II, Executive Vice President
Gary Kain, Director
Michele Merrell, Director
Rev. Ranford Patterson, Director
Elma Campbell, Director
Michael J. Maura Jr., Director

Businessuite News24

Who Is Mark Myers? Managing Director, Restaurants of Jamaica Ltd., and Chairman, Barita Investments Limited

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Mark Myers is a highly influential figure in Jamaica’s business landscape, recognized for his leadership in the food and financial sectors. As the Managing Director of Restaurants of Jamaica Ltd. (ROJ), Myers oversees the operations of the island’s KFC and Pizza Hut franchises. Under his stewardship, these brands have achieved significant market penetration and operational success, making KFC a household name in Jamaica.

In addition to his role at ROJ, Myers is the Chairman of Barita Investments Limited, a leading investment firm in Jamaica. Since his appointment, he has been instrumental in guiding Barita’s strategic direction, fostering innovation in financial products, and promoting a culture of corporate growth and resilience. His leadership has been associated with Barita’s impressive financial results and expanding influence within the regional investment space​

Career Path and Achievements
Mark Myers’ career showcases a trajectory of calculated growth, marked by his ability to innovate and lead in competitive industries. While his business ventures are diverse, his strategic acumen has consistently driven success. At ROJ, Myers has focused on customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and employee development, ensuring the sustained popularity of its quick-service restaurants.

At Barita, Myers’ tenure as Chairman coincided with the firm’s transformational initiatives, including capital raises and strategic investments aimed at solidifying its position in the financial market. His ability to balance risk with opportunity underscores his effectiveness as a business leader​

Management Style and Vision
Myers is known for his collaborative and forward-thinking management style. He prioritizes team development and innovation, aligning his teams with the long-term vision of the organizations he leads. His leadership ethos is characterized by adaptability, customer focus, and a commitment to excellence.

Contributions to Business and Society
Beyond his corporate roles, Myers is committed to community development and fostering opportunities for growth within Jamaica. His leadership in both the food service and financial sectors has significantly contributed to the country’s economic development and consumer confidence.

Mark Myers continues to be a vital figure in Jamaica’s business ecosystem, blending expertise in operations, strategic planning, and leadership to drive sustained success across multiple industries.

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Businessuite News24

Who Is Christopher Zacca President and CEO, Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited?

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Christopher Zacca is a celebrated Jamaican business leader whose career spans multiple industries, including financial services, energy, telecommunications, and manufacturing. As President and CEO of Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited, Zacca has played a pivotal role in steering the organization through significant challenges and innovations, solidifying its position as a leader in the region’s financial services industry.

Career Path and Achievements
Zacca’s professional journey is a testament to versatility and strategic vision. Before joining Sagicor, he held executive and advisory roles across diverse sectors, gaining a reputation for transformative leadership. At Sagicor, he has overseen initiatives that have bolstered the company’s financial stability and growth. His tenure has been marked by a decisive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, where he spearheaded the creation of a COVID-19 committee to ensure business continuity while safeguarding stakeholders. This initiative showcased his proactive leadership and ability to navigate complex crises​

Management Style and Vision
Christopher Zacca is recognized for his transparent and ethical approach to leadership, which he attributes to the strong moral grounding instilled by his family. He believes in building cohesive teams and fostering an environment of collaboration and mutual respect. Zacca’s strategic focus combines disciplined risk management with innovation, driving both organizational resilience and growth​

Contributions to Business and Society
Beyond his corporate successes, Zacca is deeply committed to national development. He serves as chairman of the National Private Sector Vaccine Initiative, reflecting his dedication to public health and social responsibility. His leadership philosophy emphasizes mentorship and learning, inspired by his own experiences with influential mentors such as Gordon “Butch” Stewart​

Future Goals
As Zacca looks to the future, he envisions expanding Sagicor’s revenue and geographic footprint by at least 50%. He also plans to transition from day-to-day management to board-level contributions and other roles that enable him to give back to the community while leveraging his extensive leadership experience​

Christopher Zacca exemplifies the qualities of a transformative leader, balancing business acumen with a commitment to ethical leadership and community impact. His journey provides inspiration for emerging leaders across Jamaica and beyond.

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Businessuite News24

Who is Don Wehby, Group CEO of GraceKennedy?

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A Legacy of Leadership at GraceKennedy
Don Wehby has been a transformative leader at GraceKennedy, one of Jamaica’s largest and most diversified conglomerates. Since becoming Group CEO in 2011, he has driven the company’s growth through a clear strategic focus on international expansion and innovation. Under his stewardship, GraceKennedy has expanded significantly in the global food and financial services sectors, achieving a balance of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

Wehby first joined GraceKennedy in 1995 as Group Finance Manager. His leadership has been pivotal in major milestones, including the acquisition of Catherine’s Peak, La Fe Foods in the U.S., and Consumer Brands Limited. Notably, his efforts helped grow revenues and solidify GraceKennedy’s footprint in key international markets such as North America and the United Kingdom​

Visionary Management and Style
Wehby is recognized for his focus on creating a dynamic management team and cultivating Caribbean talent. Drawing inspiration from leaders like Jack Welch, Wehby emphasizes mentorship and succession planning. He actively recruits and develops high-potential executives, fostering a leadership pipeline that positions the company for sustained success. He is also known for his decisive yet collaborative approach, empowering his team to take ownership of key initiatives​

Challenges and Triumphs
Navigating Jamaica’s challenging economic landscape, Wehby has championed GraceKennedy’s resilience. From navigating geopolitical complexities to modernizing operations, he has consistently delivered strong results. His strategic decisions to relocate GraceKennedy’s headquarters to downtown Kingston and focus on foreign markets reflect his bold vision for the company’s future​

Beyond Business
Wehby has made significant contributions outside the corporate world. As a senator and honorary consul for New Zealand, he has advocated for economic reform and strengthened Jamaica’s global ties. His passion for sports is evident in GraceKennedy’s sponsorship of events like the Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, reinforcing the company’s commitment to community development​

Looking Ahead
As GraceKennedy continues its ambitious growth trajectory, Don Wehby remains a cornerstone of its strategy to become a global powerhouse. His focus on leveraging international markets while fostering local talent ensures the company is well-positioned for future success. With his leadership legacy firmly established, the company looks forward to realizing its global ambitions while staying true to its Jamaican roots.

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Artificial Intelligence

Guardsman Metaverse Elevating Security with AI Solutions

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Guardsman Metaverse, in collaboration with Jamaican artificial intelligence company Crimsontide AI, is revolutionizing security across Jamaica with cutting-edge, customizable solutions. This partnership brings together Guardsman’s expertise in virtual security and Crimsontide’s advanced AI technology, delivering a suite of intelligent security offerings tailored to meet the unique needs of Jamaican businesses and institutions.

Through this strategic collaboration, Guardsman Metaverse is positioned at the forefront of the country’s security landscape, offering systems that leverage both immersive digital technology and sophisticated artificial intelligence.

The partnership underscores the importance of local innovation in addressing the security challenges faced by Jamaica today, providing clients with tailor-made solutions that ensure effective protection.

Guardsman Metaverse is committed to offering security solutions that go beyond traditional models, emphasizing customization and flexibility to meet the specific requirements of each client. From large commercial operations to smaller enterprises, the platform delivers a personalized approach that ensures maximum efficiency and peace of mind.

This flexibility is what sets Guardsman Metaverse apart—adapting to each environment’s unique security demands and offering a more responsive, intelligent way to safeguard people and assets.

With AI-driven features that allow for real-time monitoring and proactive threat detection, Guardsman Metaverse empowers businesses and institutions to stay ahead of potential security breaches. Each system can be fully customized to fit the environment it protects, delivering advanced functionality across a wide range of settings.

Advanced Features for Comprehensive Protection

  • Facial Recognition: Guardsman Metaverse enhances access control through secure, real-time identification of authorized personnel, ensuring that only those with clearance can enter critical areas.
  • License Plate Detection: For commercial properties, this feature allows for real-time monitoring of vehicle activity, helping to identify unauthorized or suspicious vehicles and notify security personnel immediately.
  • Personnel Counting and Crowd Management: Especially important for businesses, this feature tracks occupancy and manages crowd flow, helping to ensure safety, meet regulatory requirements, and optimize operational efficiency.
  • Firearm Detection: Using AI-powered analysis, Guardsman Metaverse detects the presence of firearms, providing instant alerts to security teams to ensure a rapid and effective response to any threat.
  • Customizable Behavioural AI: Tailored to each client’s specific needs, Guardsman Metaverse’s behavioural AI can be trained to detect and respond to specific actions or patterns that are unique to the environment it monitors.
  • Infrared Drone Surveillance: Equipped with infrared technology, Guardsman Metaverse drones provide round-the-clock aerial surveillance, ideal for large properties, high-security areas, and search-and-rescue missions, offering comprehensive monitoring that goes beyond traditional methods.

These advanced security features are fully customizable, ensuring that businesses receive a solution designed specifically for their needs. Whether it’s safeguarding large commercial complexes, healthcare facilities or educational institutions, Guardsman Metaverse offers tailored protection that provides complete peace of mind.

The partnership with Crimsontide AI, a rapidly emerging Jamaican company specializing in state-of-the-art patent-pending artificial intelligence software, ensures that Guardsman Metaverse’s solutions are not only technologically advanced but also locally relevant.

Crimsontide AI Limited is at the forefront of technological innovation, and its expertise allows the system to be fine-tuned to the specific security challenges that businesses in Jamaica face.

Through this collaboration, a diverse offering of services is available to various customers and industries, including theft detection at banks, supermarkets, and retail stores, intruder detection and breach prevention at hotels and resorts, as well as risk mitigation and compliance solutions.

Crimsontide’s AI technology also enables businesses to recognize trends in data, detect outliers, and summarize data sets, all aimed at informing better business decisions.

This partnership ensures that Jamaicans are at the forefront of solving their own security issues, with solutions designed by Jamaicans, for Jamaicans. At Crimsontide AI, the commitment to rebuilding a safer Jamaica is at the heart of every innovation, working toward a future where local technology empowers local security.

However, beyond responding to security threats as they happen, Guardsman Metaverse is designed to predict and prevent potential issues before they escalate. By leveraging AI to analyse behaviours and patterns, the system can foresee risks, giving clients the ability to take proactive steps. This predictive approach ensures that businesses and homeowners are always ahead of security challenges, helping to mitigate risks before they become serious threats.

With Guardsman Metaverse, clients are empowered to protect their environments not just reactively but pre-emptively. This next-level security capability, combined with fully customizable features, ensures a comprehensive approach that adapts to the ever-evolving nature of security threats in today’s society.

 

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Business Insights

Beyond Repeated Failure: Defining a Strategy Triad

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Studies consistently show that most strategic plans fall short.

The reasons are varied, but a common mistake stands out: teams often assume they understand “strategic” planning, only to end up misguided, compromising their organizations’ success. Often, what they call a “strategic plan” lacks real strategic thought.

How Missteps Occur

If you’ve ever reviewed a company’s strategic plan, you’ve likely seen a list of ambitious goals. They may be grouped in catchy ways, but as you read through, doubts surface. Why?

You sense the organization may lack the resources or focus to achieve all these objectives simultaneously. The longer the list, the more you suspect it may be abandoned when daily issues arise, with lofty goals slipping out of view.

Redefining “Strategic”

One way to prevent this common pitfall is to rethink how we use the term “strategic.” Today, the label “strategic” is often used casually to signal importance, so much so that it’s lost its impact, and audiences tune it out.

This isn’t just a communication issue. When teams invest time in a strategic retreat, they expect the final plan to be truly strategic, yet often that’s not the case.

Typical brainstorming sessions encourage a mix of ideas and positive intentions without much structure. The result is often an extensive report of hopeful outcomes, which can look similar to other plans within the industry—ultimately, another reason for failure.

Enter the Strategy Triad

Peter Compo’s book *The Emergent Strategy* introduces a helpful redefinition of “strategic” by proposing a triad approach:

1. Aspiration: A meaningful, challenging goal that requires effort and won’t happen automatically.

2. Bottleneck: The main obstacle preventing the organization from achieving its aspiration(s).

3. Guiding Principle: A decision-making rule to help navigate actions that address the bottleneck.

Consider a store aiming to increase profits. If the biggest bottleneck is low brand recognition, the guiding principle could be to improve brand awareness through multiple channels—online, in-store, and through partnerships.

Applying the Strategy Triad

At a recent strategic planning retreat, a leadership team was challenged to apply the triad. Initially, it was difficult; identifying bottlenecks from new perspectives required collaboration and creativity, especially without cross-functional data, which led them to rely on firsthand experiences. Yet, they successfully defined bottlenecks and guiding principles that empowered employees to align their daily choices with the strategic plan. This alignment is what leaders want but is often rare.

Why Alignment is Rare

Leadership teams often avoid the challenging, healthy conflict required to build a robust strategy triad. They may take the easier path, creating lists of goals rather than diving into critical strategic planning. Alternatively, when discussions become too heated, leaders may intervene prematurely, cutting off debate and limiting essential buy-in.

To achieve meaningful alignment, it’s important to work through differing viewpoints until agreement is reached. Though challenging, this process builds the intellectual and emotional commitment needed for successful execution. By persevering through difficult conversations, leaders can significantly improve their strategic plans’ success and longevity.

Found this topic interesting? You may want to delve into my long-form content in my JumpLeap Strategic Planning Newsletter/Podcast.

Francis Wade
JumpLeap NewsletterPodcast

Framework Consulting
http://blog.fwconsulting.com : http://fwconsulting.com

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