The Top Ten CEO for 2012, as in previous years, are determined by the rate of growth of their respective companies over the previous year -measured by after tax profits. These companies have experienced an increase that range from a high of 216% in the case of the number one ranked CEO, Jeffery Hall of Jamaica Producers Group; to 15.8% in the case of the tenth placed JMMB boss Keith Duncan.

The list reflects a wide range of CEOs in a variety of sectors including gaming, banking, finance and food and beverage. The fact is, what these companies all have in common is not what they do, but who does what.  Excellence in performance is set from the person who wears the crown. As further reading of this issue will attest, heavy indeed is the head that wears the proverbial crown. We envy the salary, balk at the fancy title, and consider them tyrants who reign over an evil empire. Well maybe the last bit is a little bit of an exaggeration.  The point is, being a CEO is for the most part a meritocracy fraught with as much pressure as there are perks. These professionals have gotten to where they are today by virtue of sheer knowledge, experience and hard work and therein lies the success stories. These are simply put, people who know their job and do it very well.

They also perform against the backdrop of what is arguably the most difficult economic times locally and globally, for both consumers and business. In a contracting economy, the shrewd leader must steady the ship, instill confidence his is crew and chart a course for success.

We salute the repeat placements for their consistent high performance, the Hyltons and Halls of this list who provide an example of how to lead large, complex, dynamic organizations. Credit also to those new to the list.  For making the arduous climb to join an elite club of managers and leaders in your field – we salute you. Success is not a singular act but a habit. We are what we repeatedly do. It is therefore fair to anticipate your presence in successive years.

Congratulations to Anya M. Schnoor, this year’s number four placed CEO. Schnoor was promoted to country manager of the Trinidad arm of Scotiabank. Her performance is proof that success will indeed be rewarded in the business sector.

At the same time we commend Ms. Schnoor, Businessuite laments the absence of female leaders in this year’s crop of leaders. We are certain, by virtue of the Top 50 women in business listing in the previous issue, that women are a force to be reckoned with in the business world. While 40 percent of the top ten CEOs on the Junior Stock exchange are women, just one percent of the persons in the main listing are women, just one in ten.  We certainly look forward to seeing more women being given the opportunity to manage companies at the very top of their respective fields and show what they can do.

The Numbers

Here are the top 10 companies and a comparison of the after tax profits in 2011 to 2010 and the rate of change. To learn about the CEOs responsible for these impressive numbers, continue reading.

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