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CIBC FIRSTCARIBBEAN CELEBRATES ITS FIRSTSTARS AT SPARKLING AWARDS CEREMONY

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Bank inducts 10 more outstanding employees into its Hall of Fame

 

#Bridgetown, Barbados, 18 April 2023 – CIBC FirstCaribbean fêted its top performers from across the region in a glittering ceremony at Sandals Royal Barbados with the bank’s Chief Executive Officer Mark St. Hill stressing that reward and recognition is a “fundamental element of who we are as a company”.

Hailing the ten FirstStars Awardees as “truly examples of the best of the best”, St. Hill told those gathered for the Illumination Ceremony and Cocktail reception on Saturday March 25, the bank’s first in-person awards event since 2018, that the winners, from Barbados, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands and St Maarten, exemplified excellence from all areas of the bank.

“Our awardees therefore have been chosen because they demonstrate our behaviours of agility, collaboration, ownership, and integrity. By adopting these behaviours in their daily life at work, they have set the tone for helping to make our clients’ ambitions a reality, by delivering a superior banking experience in a digital world, St Hill said.

He thanked all of the bank’s “heroes” who are on the job, “often well into the night, striving to give our clients the best possible digital banking experience, and making their ambitions a reality”.  St. Hill noted that while it is always difficult to select the ten FirstStars winners, throughout the year over 150 staffers were presented with Highflyer Quarterly Awards and more than 500 received On-the-Spot awards, an immediate award for great work from management or fellow employees.

The bank’s Chief Administrative Officer Neil Brennan in his welcome remarks noted that recognition was extremely important for organisations since it served as a great motivator, reinforced behaviours and values which defined the organisation, fostered greater team spirit and collaboration, and built trust.

“So appreciation is not just a buzzword in our bank; it is a firm commitment to our team members that when we see them working hard for our clients, we will stop and we will acknowledge it. Our goal is to make our bank a wonderful place with which to do business, and an absolutely great place to work,” he said.

Brennan noted that “CIBC FirstCaribbean’s recognition scheme is seen across the region as best practice, and we have been supporting other organizations in building out their own unique recognition programmes.”

FirstStars winners from The Bahamas were Latoya Curry, Private Banker, Wealth Management and Jason Knowles, Senior Officer, Implementation, Cash Management, Merchant Services, Corporate Investments.

Latoya was celebrated for her excellent customer service and outstanding loan sales, booking 191 per cent over her target racking up over 11.5 million in sales last year, while Jason was awarded for his outstanding service and support to the Cash Management and Merchant Services Team.

Other FirstStars winners who were inducted in the bank’s Hall of Fame were from Barbados, Adrian Gomes, Relationship Manager, Platinum Banking, Christopher McFarlane, Senior Manager, Sales and Business Development, Berlinda Sutton, Manager Insurance and Operations, Iyisha Gibson, Manager, Compliance Testing and Training, Risk Management, and Christopher Carter, Manager/Project Head, HR Shared Services, Human Resources.

FirstStars winners from Cayman Islands were Shaquille Smith, Credit Manager, Corporate and Investment Banking and Alero Abrams, Relationship Manager, Platinum Banking, and Frederica Green-Brazier, Customer Service Officer, Retail and Business Banking from St Maarten.

Christopher McFarlane’s star shone extra brightly on the night as he received the prestigious CEO’s Award of Distinction for his tireless and strategic leadership and innovation on the XG teams responsible for the development and roll-out of the bank’s online lending app The Loan Store which offers, credits cards, auto and consumer loans “from hello to funded in under 10 minutes”.

The FirstStars and their partners were hosted at Sandals Royal during their time in Barbados, they also toured the bank’s Regional Head Office in Warrens where they received a red-carpet welcome. They also toured the Chickmont Group of Companies, which includes Chickmont Foods and Sea Breeze Hotel as well as engaged in a number of recreational activities across the island ahead of the awards ceremony.

Captions:

1st insert: Latoya Curry, Private Banker, Wealth Management accepts her award from CIBC FirstCaribbean’s CEO Mark St. Hill.

2nd insert:Jason Knowles, Senior Officer, Implementation, Cash Management, Merchant Services, Corporate Investments, is presented with his award from CIBC FirstCaribbean’s CEO Mark St. Hill (left).

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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