Caribbean News
Veteran Journalist Beverley Sinclair remembered as a Guiding Light & Career Builder
#Jamaica, August 29, 2023 – Glowing tributes have been paid to the late veteran regional journalist, Beverley Sinclair, with several persons in the profession remembering her as a guiding light for many careers and builder of the Caribbean.
Sinclair who died on July 22, after a brief illness, was interred in her native Montego Bay, Jamaica, on August 27.
During a thanksgiving service, held on August 24, at the St. Andrew Church of Christ, on Red Hills Road, in Kingston, friends and journalists who blossomed from her mentorship, shared how the 35-year media icon impacted their lives and countries in the region.
Former reporter with Community Channel, which later became Flow Grenada, and now Corporate Communications Officer of the Child Protection Authority, in Grenada, Blossom Alexis-Welsh, recalled how for 12 years, her late former manager, helped her to become the “journalist that I am today. I am thankful to have had that experience,” she told the mourners.
The now corporate communications professional added that “we knocked heads” a few times, but it was “always for my betterment and development. I am sad that I never got the opportunity to tell her how much of an impact she had on my life and career. She did a fantastic job in teaching me things that I use even today. Her passing has hit me hard,” Welsh said.
Senior reporter with the Jamaica Information Service, Garfield Angus, who gave a tearful presentation, said their working relationship only lasted for one year, but it was like a “decade. She was a woman of strength and dignity, who had great motivating skills. Throughout the time that she was my immediate supervisor, she was more than a boss, and through wisdom she showed kindness, mentorship, and courage in many of the challenges that she had to contend with.
Angus, while being comforted by his colleagues, declared that Sinclair joining the JIS as Editorial and Photography
Manager was “timely, and a Heavenly guided intervention for me personally, and it impacted my development immensely,” he said.
Evangelist with the church, Alphanso Grennell remarked that it was very rare” someone to only have one year experience with his manager, and “and that is the only person who attend the funeral, being a male, and cried. Angus, you are a brave, and I respect you for that. That shows the level of impact that Sister Sinclair had on Mr. Angus,” the Evangelist said.
Another reporter with the JIS, Chanel Sence said she was grateful to work with Sinclair, as she had little experience, and needed a supervisor with patience and good listening skills. “My fondest memory with her was the hour-long conversation we had during my appraisal about travelling, seeing the world, and ensuring that we had nothing in which we regretted throughout our lives,” Spence said.
Friend of the late media manager, Margaret Francis, said Sinclair, through her various media engagements, brought out the best in the Caribbean. “Beverley was a gem of the Caribbean. Soft spoken but was a very straightforward and forthright personality. She was such a wonderful human. She lived a life devoted to fighting hate, hurt, and grabbing,” Francis said.
Administrative team member at the JIS, Jodi-Ann Palmer described her late former boss as a “pleasant disposition made working with her such an absolute joy. Her words were often seasoned with grace, as she led with a graciously gentle, albeit firm hand. She was quite passionate and serious about getting the job done, with each person playing their part,” she said.
Sinclair daughter, Channtal Golding-Wiles, remembered her mother as a disciplinarian, who gave her best for people. She loved me, she loved God, and she loved people who were of pure hearts and minds,” she reminisced.
In 2016, Sinclair got involved in Granada’s civil society groups, mainly, the Independent Caucus for Constitution Reform. and was one of the hosts of its weekly media programmes, facilitating public awareness and education on the country’s constitution and critically examining proposed legislation and policies.
Sinclair was part of the 2013 launch of the regional television programme ‘Time to Face the Facts,’ which was given recognition by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and she was also a judge for the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) media awards for excellence.
Her career started at the in 1988 as an Associate Editor for the Vacationer newspaper, in Montego Bay, St. James. From there she worked as a Senior reporter for the then Jamaica Record, a Sub-Editor at the Western Mirror, thereafter she moved to Grenada, and worked at The Grenadian Voice, then on to the Manager for News and Programming for CC6 Television, in Grenada from 2005 – 2017, and from 2021 to 2022.
Release: JIS
1st insert: Channtal Golding-Wiles (centre), who is the daughter of the late veteran regional journalist, Beverley Sinclair, in discussion with senior reporter with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Garfield Angus (left), and administrative team member with the agency, Jodi-Ann Palmer (right), at a recent thanksgiving service, held at the St. Andrew Church of Christ, in Kingston, Jamica.
2nd insert: Senior Reporter with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Garfield Angus, sings the memorial book for his late former manager, Beverley Sinclair, at a recent thanksgiving service, held at the St. Andrew Church of Christ, in Kingston, Jamica.
3rd insert: Friend of the late veteran regional journalist, Beverley Sinclair, Margaret Francis pays her tribute at a recent thanksgiving service, held at the St. Andrew Church of Christ, in Kingston, Jamica.
Contributed Photos
By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
September 28, 2026 – Wall Street initially flinched at the $3-billion handshake. But in a matter of days, it was smoother sailing.
Perhaps the bigger Caribbean business story is not what Sandals Resorts International is getting from the deal. It is who is writing the
cheque — and what that says about what Gordon “Butch” Stewart built.
As reports of Royal Caribbean Group’s Sandals deal circulated Tuesday, RCL shares plunged 6.14 percent from Monday’s $250.25 close to $234.89, on sharply elevated trading.
When the agreement became official Wednesday — approximately $3 billion for a 50 percent equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts — shares slipped another 1.95 percent to $230.30 and touched $222.22 intraday. Investors were digesting both the size of the investment and committed debt financing secured through Morgan Stanley.
But by Thursday, RCL rebounded 3.77 percent, with shares continuing their recovery Friday to finish the week around $243. Analysts were also looking ahead: JPMorgan reportedly raised its RCL price target from $345 to $394, while Citi placed the company on a 90-day positive catalyst watch.
And just who is RCL?
Royal Caribbean Group is a global vacation giant, publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange with a market value of roughly $65 billion. Its portfolio includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, alongside private destinations and an
expanding vacation platform.
So when a company of that scale commits $3 billion for only half of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, the transaction puts a striking financial marker on one of the Caribbean’s greatest home-grown hospitality success stories.
The deal, expected to close in early 2027, creates a 50-50 partnership with the Stewart family and takes Royal Caribbean deeper into the all-inclusive resort business.
Butch Stewart started Sandals in Jamaica in 1981 believing a Caribbean company could compete with the world’s best.
Forty-five years later, one of the world’s biggest vacation companies is prepared to pay $3 billion just to own half of what he built.
Now that’s the handshake that does more than seal a deal — it cements a legacy.
Caribbean News
Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts Announce Landmark Partnership to Accelerate Their Leading Vacation Experiences
Royal Caribbean Group Investment to Advance Sandals and Beaches’ Growth and Broaden the Group’s Vacation Portfolio
Montego Bay, Jamaica and Miami, September 24, 2026 – Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) and Sandals Resorts today announced the signing of an agreement to form a partnership in the all-inclusive resort space with a 50% investment from Royal Caribbean Group. Building on Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ more than four decades of leadership in Caribbean hospitality, the joint venture will create new opportunities for continued resort growth while broadening the experiences across Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform.
The partnership brings together two of the travel industry’s most celebrated vacation companies, pairing Sandals and Beaches’ all-inclusive resort expertise with Royal Caribbean Group’s vacation platform, including industry-leading brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea – a portfolio of private destinations, new river cruising offering, and an industry-first loyalty program. United in a shared history in the Caribbean and connected by a love for their communities, the companies will offer travelers an unparalleled collection of cruise, private destination and resort experiences, serving guests across more vacation occasions and establishing their undisputed leadership in Caribbean vacations.
The joint venture expands Royal Caribbean Group into an adjacent vacation category, growing its participation in the approximately $2 trillion global vacation market, and meets the growing global demand for Sandals and Beaches Resorts by accelerating their expansion. The partnership will include Sandals and Beaches’ collection of premier all-inclusive properties across the Caribbean, and the companies will explore opportunities to broaden distribution, deepen guest engagement, and make it easier for travelers to discover vacation experiences offered across both portfolios.
“For nearly 60 years, we’ve reimagined what a vacation can be, constantly expanding the ways we inspire our guests to explore, connect and create lifelong memories,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “We have been building a vacation platform that brings joy to millions of people around the world and creates meaningful relationships that last with our guests. Our partnership with
Sandals and Beaches Resorts is an important next step on that journey – bringing together two iconic leading vacation companies to further strengthen and grow one of the most admired resort portfolios in the world. The Stewart family has created powerful and beloved brands, and we are honored to build on that legacy. Together, we see tremendous opportunity to expand the reach of Sandals and Beaches Resorts and continue turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.”
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality. Today is proof of how far that vision can go,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. “This partnership is the natural next step in building on that conviction. It gives us the ability to grow faster with a partner that shares our values of exceptional hospitality, long-term investment, and the power of enduring brands. Together, we will introduce more guests to Sandals and Beaches Resorts while creating even more extraordinary experiences for those who have made our resorts part of their lives for decades.” Stewart added, “As we continue to grow, we will remain true to what has always defined us: delivering authentic vacations that exceed expectations while creating opportunities for our team members, travel advisor partners and the communities we call home. The future has never been brighter, and I know this moment would make my father incredibly proud.”
The joint venture will be governed by a board under the shared leadership of Stewart and Liberty. Stewart will maintain a leadership role in
guiding the company’s long-term strategic growth as Executive Chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Existing reservations, loyalty programs, resort operations and cruise operations will continue as usual, with the partnership bringing additional resources to support future opportunities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Royal Caribbean Group will acquire a 50% equity interest in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for approximately $3 billion, representing a forward EBITDA multiple of approximately 10x. Royal Caribbean Group has secured committed debt financing from Morgan Stanley to fund the investment. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions, and is expected to be accretive to earnings next year.
BofA Securities and PJT Partners acted as financial advisors, and Latham & Watkins and Jones Day acted as legal advisors to the Sandals Group. Perella Weinberg Partners and Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor to Royal Caribbean Group.
PHOTO CAPTION: Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, mark the signing of an agreement to form a landmark partnership that expands Royal Caribbean Group into the all-inclusive resort space and supports the future growth of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The signing took place at Royal Caribbean Group’s new headquarters in Miami, with the city’s skyline in the background.
The Caribbean tourism deal first reported as a possibility on Tuesday is now a signed agreement. Royal Caribbean Group plans to pay
approximately US$3 billion for a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, putting the value of the business at about US$6 billion. The purchase is expected to close in early 2027, subject to approvals.
Founded in Jamaica by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart in 1981, the resort business has a presence across nine Caribbean destinations, including Jamaica, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Sandals has described its workforce as nearly 20,000 people, most of them Caribbean nationals.
“My father, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founded Sandals Resorts with the belief that a company built in the Caribbean could stand on the world stage alongside the most respected names in hospitality,” said Adam Stewart in the announcement carried by PR Newswire. He will remain executive chairman, while the Stewart family retains a stake. The companies say existing reservations and resort operations will continue as usual.
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