The National Insurance Fund (NIF) plans to increase its net assets through the prudent management of the investment portfolio mix.

As stated by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service (MFPS) in the 2024/25 Jamaica Public Bodies’ Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, the increase will be achieved through participation in opportunities that allow for the maximum growth potential and dividend yield for funds invested in the financial markets.

The improvement in the net asset value will allow for the continued allocation of payments to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) as required.

The strategies to be undertaken include increasing investments within the maximum allowable policy limits in financial instruments that provide strong prospects for growth, and diversifying the portfolio into assets that provide increased returns.

Reforms will also be pursued to improve the corporate governance structure of the NIF, to enable the entity to strengthen its compliance regime and respond to market conditions, while facilitating sustained growth and returns on funds held.

The NIS was established under Section 29 of the National Insurance Act of 1966 as the vehicle into which the NIS contributions are paid.

Its core function is the investment of NIS contributions to provide optimum benefits to the contributors.

The investment portfolio comprises a diversified asset portfolio consisting of fixed income, equities, loans and real estate assets.

The NIF disburses funds to the NIS to provide for its registered beneficiaries, which include pension grants and health insurance in the form of NI Gold.

The Fund also remits 20 per cent of NIS contributions to the National Health Fund ( NHF).

The NIF projects a net surplus of $38.9 billion for financial year 2024/25 over $20.1 billion for 2023/24.

By BALFORD HENRY JIS

Wigton Windfarm Limited (“WIG” or the “Company”) has announced the following organisational changes and appointments effective May 6, 2024:

The position of Chief Executive Officer will be established, and Mr. Gary Barrow will be appointed thereto as the executive head of the Company.
The position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer will be established, and Miss Michelle Chin Lenn will be appointed thereto. The position of Head of Energy which was held by Miss Michelle Chin Lenn will be dispensed with.
The Board of Directors of WIG is of the view that the aforementioned changes, and specifically the appointment of Mr. Gary Barrow following a successful recruitment process, will further allow the Company to fully realize its vision of being a profitable, regional conglomerate with successful clean energy and other investments. Mr. Barrow also takes the lead at an exciting time for WIG, leading the charge for new investments to deliver a more diversified energy portfolio and growth agenda. Mr. Barrow has demonstrated exceptional leadership for over thirty (30) years in highly relevant c-suite roles in telecommunications and electricity in the region. In addition to his industry know-how and business experience, his multi-disciplinary background in Engineering, Finance, Technology, Innovation, Business Transformation, Process Re-Engineering, Governance and People Management will allow him to hit the ground running at WIG. In his last appointment at the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited, as the Chief Operating Officer, he led enterprise-wide strategic planning and he executed some of the game-changing projects in their digital transformation and other business innovations. His past successes included smart meters and grid modernization projects. Mr. Barrow holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Business Administration and has completed global leadership development programmes with INSEAD in France, United Kingdom, China, Spain and USA.

Management changes at VM Investments Limited & VM Wealth Management Limited: In our continued drive to deliver customer-focused experiences to our clients, VM Investments Limited (VMIL) introduced the role of Vice President – Operations. This role will oversee Corporate Planning, Corporate Governance, the Research Unit, Internal Controls, Business Transformation and Core Operations. Allison Mais joined the team in this capacity in February and will work to plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee operational activities of VM Wealth Management (VMWM)/VMIL and ensure the development and implementation of efficient operations and cost-effective systems. Allison previously worked at GraceKennedy as Head, Strategic Planning where she was responsible for the Group’s Strategic Plan and the monitoring of the Group’s areas of focus and KPIs, leading the Corporate Planning Unit and executing retreats and investor briefings. Prior to this, Allison was the Head, Digital Strategy, GraceKennedy Financial Group and Assistant Vice President, Strategy and Project Management Office, First Global Bank. She holds a Master of Science in Manufacturing, Management & Information Systems from Cranfield University, UK and a Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Technology from the University of Technology. VMIL also wishes to advise that Mr Jason Bailey, who held the post of Manager, Risk and Compliance, of VMIL and VM Wealth Management Limited resigned from the company effective January 22, 2024. We thank Jason for his service and contribution to the VMIL Group and wish him great success in his future endeavours.

At the Radio Jamaica Limited Board of Directors meeting of April 25,2024, the Board passed a resolution to appoint Dr. David McBean as a director of the company, effective 25 April, 2024.

Consequent upon the reorganization of the Mayberry Group of Companies, this letter serves to advise of the Directors and Company Secretary of Mayberry Group Ltd. Note that Mayberry Group Ltd, a company incorporated under the laws of Saint Lucia, was listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on December 13, 2023.

The current Listing of Directors, appointed on September 6, 2023, are as follows:

1. Christopher Berry

2. Konrad Berry

3. Gary Peart

4. Richard Surage

5. Gladstone Lewars

6. Alok Jain

7. Erwin Angus

8. Walter Scott

The Corporate Secretary of Mayberry Group Ltd is FinSec Limited, appointed on November 15, 2022.

Justin Nam has resigned as Eppley’s General Manager to pursue other interests after nearly a decade at the company. His resignation is effective May 31, 2024, and he will coordinate with Raymond and Jeffrey to facilitate a smooth transition.

Raymond Donaldson to join Eppley as CEO

Raymond Donaldson will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Eppley Limited (Eppley) effective May 3, 2024.

“Raymond has extensive leadership experience in financial markets across the Caribbean and a track record of scaling regional businesses. He has consistently demonstrated the ability to lead high performing teams and deliver results. We are delighted that Raymond will be joining Eppley.” said P.B. Scott, Chairman of Eppley.

Jeffrey Brown will also join Eppley on May 3, 2024, as Chief Investment Officer and will work closely with Denise Gallimore, VP of Real Estate and Samantha Summerbell, AVP Credit to grow and expand Eppley’s investment efforts.

Justin Nam has resigned as Eppley’s General Manager to pursue other interests after nearly a decade at the company. His resignation is effective May 31, 2024, and he will coordinate with Raymond and Jeffrey to facilitate a smooth transition.

“Justin has been an integral part of developing Eppley into the leading regional investment firm it is today contributing to the growth of our credit, mezzanine, infrastructure and real estate portfolios across the Caribbean. As an Eppley alumnus, we wish him well in his future endeavours.” said Nicholas Scott, Vice Chairman of Eppley. “I’ve worked closely for many years with both Raymond and Jeffrey. I know they share Eppley’s investment philosophy and I’m confident that they will continue our proud track record and build our business.”

“Eppley is a pioneer in private market investing in the Caribbean and one of the most respected investment firms in our region known for the caliber of its team, its financial performance and its integrity. I plan to lead Eppley guided by its founding principles for benefit of our team, our clients and our shareholders.” said Raymond Donaldson, Eppley’s incoming Chief Executive Officer.

Raymond Donaldson has a 20-year career in banking and finance in Jamaica, the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean. Most recently, Mr. Donaldson was Vice President Corporate and Commercial Banking at National Commercial Bank. Prior to that Mr. Donaldson served as Director of Corporate and Investment Banking in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos at CIBC FirstCaribbean.

Jeffrey Brown has held executive roles in banking in Jamaica and Barbados, mostly recently as Head of Loan Structuring and Syndications at National Commercial Bank and previously at CIBC FirstCaribbean, Scotiabank and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Tropical Battery Company Limited (TROPICAL) has renamed certain posts within the organisation. The Company hereby notifies that the members of the management team, including recent changes and senior management of subsidiaries, are as follows:

Alexander Melville Chief Executive Officer

Alexander Melville, who held the post of Managing Director, has been appointed as CEO effective March 1, 2024. He remains a Director on the. Board of Directors. He has been with Tropical Battery since April 1, 1996 including as Managing Director and has more than 26 years of industry work experience in the Automotive/Battery Business. The experience ranges from warehouse hand, receivables clerk, finance director, to his current role. The highlights during this time would be the transition to real-time sales accounting for all of our retail stores, restructuring shareholder equity with significant investment from our parent company, and helping to put the right people in the right seats, then inspiring and motivating them to achieve growth rates significantly above our industry growth rates. Alexander, also sits on the Board of Eppley Limited, a finance and investment company listed on the JSE, and is on the Audit and Remuneration Committees of that company. Additionally, on Chukka Group Boards; Diverze Assets Inc., Diverze Properties, and as the Treasury Director of Chukka Caribbean Adventures Ltd (a regional Nature Adventure Tour Company).

Daniel Melville Chief Operating Officer

Daniel Melville, who held the post of Deputy Managing Director, has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer effective March 1, 2024. On May 19, 2004, Daniel took-up the role as the VP Sales & Marketing at Tropical Battery, where his skills allowed him to lead the sales Team and execute successful customer service strategies. Since taking over this role the sales have grown by more than 15% annually on average. He teams up with all department heads to brainstorm, motivate and inspire our fellow employees, while overseeing business operations. In June 2021 he was promoted to Deputy Managing Director. Daniel is also a board member, and his mandate is to ensure that Tropical Battery is constantly moving towards fulfilment of its short-term and long-term goals and does not diverge from its strategic plan. Before Tropical Battery, he worked for over 14 years at the Chukka Group. Both on the operating side and the marketing team. Prior to joining same, he worked with Carnival Cruise Lines which helped him to gain a unique understanding of visitors’ vacation preferences and needs.

Reshando Mais Chief Financial Controller

Reshando Mais, who held the post of Financial Controller, has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer, effective March 1, 2024. Reshando joined Tropical Battery Company Limited on June 29, 2017, in the capacity of Financial Controller. He is responsible for the accounting and financial operations of the Company which includes, generating and reporting periodic financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. He is a graduate of Northern Caribbean University and University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting and a Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration respectively. He has over 10 years of experience in accounting, external audit real estate industry and merchandising.

David Walton Chief Marketing Officer

David Walton, who held the post of Director of Sales and Marketing, has been appointed as Chief Marketing Officer effective March 1, 2024. David joined our Management Team on August 9, 2021 in the capacity of Director of Sales & Marketing. David is an innovative commercial leader with a background in both Sales & Marketing. With over 20 years of experience as a team lead for commercially successful brands, in the alcoholic beverage and FMCG industries, as well as entrepreneurial ventures in the Entertainment & Hospitality Industry, David has consistently built brands and delivered commercial results.

Stacy–Ann Spence Operations Manager

Stacy-Ann has been a part of the Tropical Battery family since November 9, 2015. Her portfolio includes direct oversight of our warehouse distribution, Battery Recycling & Export coordination, Occupational Health & Safety, Corporate Social Responsibility, Administration & Maintenance Management and overall general operations. Stacy-Ann graduated from the University of the West Indies with honors in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Labour & Employment Relations.

Sandra Russell Talent Manager

Sandra Russell, who held the post of Human Resource Manager, has been appointed as Talent Manager. Sandra joined our management team on January 14, 2019, in the capacity of Human Resource Manager. She studied at both local and overseas institutions where she now holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Madison University, USA., and a Diploma in Personnel Management & Industrial Relation from IMP. Mrs. Russell has twenty-four (24) years of management experience in the private sector namely Lasco Distributors Limited. She also served in the Banking and Public Sector as well.

Kamesha Robinson Corporate Governance Administrator

Kamesha Robinson has been appointed as Corporate Governance Administrator effective February 2, 2023. Kamesha joined the Tropical Battery family on March 1, 2010. She oversees the Administration Department and provides comprehensive support to the Board of Directors. With over 16 years’ experience in the telecommunications, retail and automotive industries, she comes with high-quality administrative skills and solid general business knowledge. Prior to Tropical Battery, she worked at Mossel Jamaica Ltd. (Digicel) in the areas of Customer Service and Site Acquisition. She graduated with honors from Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 2000 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Marketing and a Diploma in Business Administration.

Jeffrey Brown Information Technology Manager

Jeffrey Brown was appointed as Information Technology Manager in February 2023. He is a seasoned IT professional with over 18 years of experience in managing and maintaining complex network infrastructure, hardware, and software systems. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong ability to support and optimize operations for a variety of organizations in Jamaica. Jeffrey has been with Tropical Battery since February 27, 2023, he oversees the entire IT infrastructure, administers LAN and wireless (WAN) networks, and leads project management initiatives. Jeffrey’s career trajectory demonstrates a deep dedication to the IT field. He has consistently developed his skills and taken on increasingly complex roles, showcasing his ability to adapt and thrive in different environments. With his comprehensive knowledge, technical expertise, and leadership qualities, Jeffrey Brown is a valuable asset to any organization requiring a reliable and efficient IT manager.

Orane Gray Consultant IT

Effective February 2023, Orane Gray is no longer part of the senior management team but remains a consultant to the Company for information technology. Orane Gray perviously served as Information Technology Manager.

Oliver Hill CEO, Tropical Renewable Energy, Tropical Mobility and Tropical Finance

Oliver Hill is CEO of Tropical Renewable Energy, Tropical Mobility and Tropical Finance, majority-owned subsidiaries established in 2022. Oliver joined Tropical Battery on October 4, 2021. The subsidiaries aims to facilitate the transition to sustainable energy and transport. Oliver brings nearly two decades of experience in mergers and acquisitions intelligence and consulting across Latin America and the Caribbean. Prior to joining Tropical Battery, he worked as a consultant with the Inter-American Development Bank, where he supported the energy, water, and state modernization portfolios. Oliver holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and a Master of Science from Columbia University.

Karina Chez CEO, Kaya Energy Group

Mrs. Karina Chez brings extensive business management and international trade experience to the KAYA team. Karina has been a part of the team since April 1, 2019. She is a strategic visionary driving the company’s growth into the future. Karina is a sought-after international speaker who has presented on topics including solar energy, entrepreneurship, women’s leadership, and climate change. She has a broad business network relevant to KAYA’s growth, including serving as the founding President of ASOFER, the Dominican Republic’s renewable energy association; a former president and board member Entrepreneurs’ Organization; a former Board Member of AIRD; and the Chapter Director of Startup Grind. Prior to KAYA, Karina founded The Chess Group, a digital marketing firm based in Dubai and New York, and served as a marketing executive in the Middle East and North America for JumpTV. Karina received an MBA from Pace University and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University.

Andrew Cramer COO, Kaya Energy Group

Mr. Andrew Cramer is a cofounder and COO of KAYA and oversees project development and implementation processes. He is a frequent speaker at regional energy and technology conferences – including the MIT Technology Review’s EmTech and the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum – on topics including the role disruptive technologies like machine learning will play in the renewable energy industry. Prior to KAYA, Andrew worked with the United Nations as a post-conflict electoral consultant in countries including Timor-Leste, Nepal, Sudan, Comoros, Afghanistan and Libya. In 2017, Andrew was selected to be among 90 thought leaders from around the world to participate in a program – funded by Google and based on the NASA Ames Research Facility in Silicon Valley – to examine how exponential technologies can be leveraged to address the negative impacts of climate change. Andrew has a degree in Environmental Sciences from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University.

Chris Wunderlich Chief Executive Officer, Rose Electronics Distributing Co.

Chris Wunderlich was appointed the CEO of Rose Electronics Distributing effective January 30, 2024. Chris possesses a solid background in operations and engineering. His tenure in previous roles has been distinguished by significant enhancements in manufacturing processes and operational efficiency. Emphasizing talent development and continuous improvement in his leadership style, Chris aligns well with Tropical Battery’s vision for the company. His strategic approach in empowering teams to solve complex challenges and his commitment to refining operational systems position him as a key leader, ready to drive Rose Electronics towards a future of innovation and success.

Tim Gray Director of Business Intelligence & Accounting, Rose Electronics Distributing Co.

Tim Gray continues bringing a rich tapestry of experience that blends military discipline with business acumen. His nine-year tenure in the US Marine Corps, marked by leadership in high-pressure environments, laid a foundation for his subsequent success in the business world. With a Bachelor’s in Managerial Economics from UC Davis, Tim has rapidly ascended in the finance and accounting sectors, demonstrating a profound ability to navigate complex challenges and implement strategic solutions. As Director of Business Intelligence and Accounting, Tim’s forward-thinking approach and commitment to excellence will be instrumental in driving Rose’s growth and innovation in the evolving landscape of battery technology.

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has emphasised the importance of Jamaica’s Tourism Strategy and Action Plan (TSAP) in generating the stakeholder capacity to respond to the industry’s new architecture.

The TSAP, being executed through a partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is geared towards boosting socio-economic development and investment, building the local tourism industry’s resilience to climate change and reducing the sector’s contribution to climate change.

It also aims to diversify Jamaica’s inbound tourism and promote the industry’s knowledge-based and technology-enabled development.

Mr. Bartlett also highlighted the TSAP’s importance in making tourism more inclusive and more of an enabler of economic growth and development in Jamaica.

“So, the strategies have to look at not just the physical areas but it has to start with human capital. The most important element within our tourism realisation is with people. Jamaica’s wealth is not in minerals, as you know; but what we really have are our people, and our people are the wealth of this country,” the Minister said.

“And so, our strategy has to deal, very strongly, with building, training, building intellectual capacity, building innovative capacities, building creative capacities, [and] building a new sense of how people can convert knowledge into material goods and services which will have a value and a price,” Mr. Bartlett added.

He was speaking during the opening session of the Tourism Strategy and Action Plan Consultation Workshop for Kingston and St. Andrew, at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday (April 4).

Meanwhile, Mr. Bartlett underscored the need to increase local production, which is critical in enabling Jamaica to retain a larger ratio of the tourist dollar.

“The consumption pattern of the visitor is three to five times that of the locals. Some people don’t understand why revenue to government has increased significantly without increasing/or new taxes being imposed. They don’t understand that what tourism has done is to increase the consumption pattern in Jamaica exponentially over the last two and a half years in particular, as we started from zero and grew to what is now 4.2 million visitors,” he stated.

“So, whose food are they eating? That is our job, to make sure that it is Jamaican food… our farmers must step up to the plate. The strategy in tourism must drive the linkages in the various areas, so as to stop the leakages from all the other areas,” Minister Bartlett added.

The workshop marks the final in a series of engagements aimed at highlighting relevant components of the Tourism Strategy and gathering as much input as possible from key stakeholders.

Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) takes note of the recent Court Decision in the matter involving Alliance Investment Management Limited (AIML), which is not a licensee of the Bank, and public commentary related to the actions taken by the Bank in December 2021 to suspend the cambio and remittance operating licences issued to then AIML-affiliated company Alliance Financial Services Limited (AFSL) effective 3 December 2021. The Bank’s actions also included the revocation of the authorisation granted to AFSL to operate in the Bank of Jamaica Fintech Regulatory Sandbox as a payment service provider effective 3 December 2021.

As stated by the Bank at the time, the regulatory actions became necessary after the Financial Investigations Division (FID) on 2 December 2021 charged AFSL’s principals and two AFSL-affiliated companies at the time (AIML and Alliance Finance Limited (AFL)) with several offences under the Bank of Jamaica Act and the Banking Services Act. Bank of Jamaica is aware that investigations by the FID into the Alliance Group began around 2018. However, it was only after formal charges were laid against the entities and their principals by the FID following the requisite ruling by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, that BOJ took the regulatory action of the suspension of licences to safeguard the financial system. The formal charging of the entities and their principals raised serious “fit and proper” considerations for their continued operation of financial services under the Bank of Jamaica Act and the Banking Services Act.

Alliance Finance Limited subsequently pleaded guilty in the St. Andrew Parish Court to several breaches of the Bank of Jamaica Act and the Banking Services Act and was fined. These breaches for which AFL was convicted related to “Carrying on the Business of Lending in Foreign Currency in breach of the Bank of Jamaica Act” and “Accepting Deposits Without the Requisite Licence in breach of the Banking Services Act.” The breaches involved engaging in economic activities which are regulated and which require an extensive application process, extensive due diligence checks and continuous monitoring throughout the life of the licence in the case of the Banking Services Act. The breaches also involved engaging in the business of lending in foreign currency without the requisite authorisation that allows for review, due diligence and monitoring mechanisms being applied to ensure continued order in the foreign Exchange market. These represent breaches of the substantive framework of financial services regulated by Bank of Jamaica. One consequence of such breaches is being rendered unfit to own and operate financial services in the financial system.

Bank of Jamaica is also aware of legal action initiated in the Supreme Court by the FID related to criminal forfeiture regarding the offences for which AFL was convicted in relation to the Bank of Jamaica Act and the Banking Services Act.

Bank of Jamaica maintains that its actions taken in December 2021 to suspend the cambio and remittance operating licence of AFSL and to revoke the authorisation granted to AFSL to operate in the BOJ Fintech Regulatory Sandbox as a payment service provider, were necessary as the allegations at the time threatened the good order in the foreign exchange market and payment systems as well as the reputation and good standing of the Jamaican financial system internationally. It is important to note that BOJ’s regulatory actions were the subject of judicial review, and finding in the Bank’s favour, the Court of Appeal noted in its 2022 judgment in the matter of Alliance Financial Services Limited v Bank of Jamaica that, “the risk to the financial sector outweighed the economic loss and inconvenience AFSL may suffer as a result of the continuation of the suspension.”

Bank of Jamaica remains committed to fulfilling its mandate to ensure the stability of the Jamaican financial system and the effective and impartial supervision of its licensees.

It is also to be noted that Alliance’s divestment of business was a strategy and activity pursued by the principals of Alliance as their own business decision.

It is also to be noted that Alliance’s divestment of business was a strategy and activity pursued by the principals of Alliance as their own business decision. Bank of Jamaica had no part in that decision or transaction. On 1 April 2022, BOJ publicly advised that AFSL, under a new ownership structure, applied for a cambio and remittance licence, and having satisfied the Bank’s due diligence requirements, was licenced to offer cambio and remittance services at approved locations effective 23 March 2022.