Q: Are you where you’ve always wanted to be?
A: In a general sense yes. I am very comfortable with who I am as an individual as well as a professional.
My grounding, experiences and training have shaped my awareness, personality and business acumen to a level that is rewarding. I find it acutely challenging holding the Presidency of both Cidel and BIBA concurrently but every day I feel truly blessed to be living in Barbados while working on the global stage.
Q: What is your biggest professional challenge?
A: Leadership for sure. Effectively leading an organisation requires more than just intellect, charisma and passion.
It requires an ability to truly connect with a broad spectrum of people not just by your words but also your actions. I find it particularly challenging given the hectic pace of work and rapidly changing business environment.
I am still evolving as a leader and make a concerted effort to learn from my colleagues and professional trainers.
Q: What is your biggest life challenge?
A:?Simply living in the moment and fully appreciating an experience is difficult for me.
The pace of my life is often frenetic and it’s hard for me to just relax and clear my mind as much as I’d like to.
Q: When you look to the future what do you see?
A:?For Barbados, I see very challenging times ahead as we grapple with the fallout from the economic malaise we are currently consumed with.
The pain is necessary now but doesn’t have to be in vain. We still have a wealth of talent and reputational currency as a resilient, accomplished jurisdiction.
If we can throw off the shackles of insularity and inertia to engender national pride in productivity and fix our structural deficiencies, prosperity will return. Otherwise, the pain will transform from a benign warning to a chronic malignant affliction.
I am very confident that Cidel will continue to grow in Barbados and globally by developing staff, creating innovative client solutions and seeking out new markets. For BIBA, I see a successful International Business Week from October 20- 26 and a maturity of the organization to be even more effective in promoting the sector.
As for me, I am very open to the opportunities and experiences that will come my way and am excited about continuing to learn and enjoy life.
Q: What is your favourite pastime?
A:?I enjoy tennis and photography but lately golf has piqued my interest.
I am absolutely hopeless right now but paradoxically there’s an almost zen-like, cathartic release that emerges from the angst and frustration.
Q: What is your favourite meal?
A:?I love food so it’s hard to pick just one! It’s a three-way tie – seared tuna, mushroom risotto and banana cou cou with curried rabbit.
Q: On Saturday nights where are you likely to be?
A:?Either home experimenting with a recipe or out having a drink with friends.
Q: What upsets you the most?
A: Situations where problems persist because simple solutions aren’t implemented.
In work and life, difficult problems will arise and require time and energy to resolve so it upsets me when we waste time on the simple ones unnecessarily.
Q: What is your guiding philosophy?
A:?Being true to yourself is the only way to fulfilment. I’ve tried through introspection to understand who I am at the core and live according to the principals and beliefs that I embrace.
It might sound simple but it can be a challenge given the various influences, distractions and pressures that infiltrate our lives.
Q: If you had the chance to manage Barbados for a day what would you do?
A:?Firstly, I would launch a national prosperity programme that would implement the country’s strategic plan in a manner that is relentless in its commitment to transparency, accountability and achievement.
Of course international business would be a key aspect of the programme given the potential for this sector to significantly increase foreign reserves, tax revenue and high quality employment with relatively low capital expenditure.
I would also implement an educational reform campaign that more closely aligns the curricula with the national strategic goals. A mandatory second language, entrepreneurial programmes and technology would be key elements of the plan. I think it would be important to signal to the world that Barbados is a serious jurisdiction that can get things done.
To that end, I would promote an island-wide initiative to make Barbados the cleanest, most beautiful country in the world. This would be complementary to the national free Wi-Fi programme and imbue a sense of pride in all Barbadians that would be highly motivational. A central theme of my management would be strong, decisive leadership.
