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Central Bank Of Barbados |
First of all I want to
thank the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance for taking the time out of
their busy schedules to join us.
This is a time for
celebration. On that note, I commend the 45th anniversary committee
for a suite of outstanding activities to mark this occasion. Led by Mrs. Arlene
Estwick, the committee and subcommittees have done a tremendous job in helping
us to herald this milestone, in a manner consistent with the quality and standard
of our Bank. Arlene and company, I thank you.
It is also a time for
reflection. It is a time for us to recognise those who have contributed to our
past successes. In that regard, I pay tribute to all our governors whose vision
of the Bank as a centre of excellence has shaped the organisation that we have
today. I cannot do so without singling out Sir Courtney Blackman, our first Governor,
who laid a solid foundation and under whose stewardship the Bank became
synonymous with excellence. Indeed, Sir Courtney entrenched the excellence
which all subsequent leaders have embraced and, cumulatively, they have created
a resilient institution.
As a tribute to our
founding father, Sir Courtney, our Board of Directors has agreed that, later
this year, our premier conference facility, built by Sir Courtney as “a gift to
future generations” will be renamed the Courtney Blackman Grande Salle.
I am pleased that former
Governors Mr. Springer and Dr. Williams, who both worked closely with Sir
Courtney in the early years, are here celebrating with us. I thank them
personally for their respective contributions to our central bank, and I offer
them a fitting thank you for my personal development. I am sure that they both
agree that this is a fitting tribute for Sir Courtney’s contribution.
We have much to celebrate.
Our economic policy advice, our research, our regulation of the financial
sector, our public education and information, and, of course, our outreach have
made a significant contribution to the economic landscape of Barbados.
What is less publicized
and acknowledged is the depth and breadth of our human capital or, to put it another
way, the accumulated knowledge and intellectual capacity behind our output.
But there can be no doubt
that our staff, both past and present, has been pivotal to the Bank’s success
over the years and to the respect that the institution has garnered at home and
abroad. Because of their hard work, commitment, competence, confidence and tenacity
we can proudly celebrate forty-five years of excellence, stability, innovation
and leadership.
On behalf of our Board of
Directors, current and past, I am delighted to salute our Women and Men of
Excellence as we close our 45th anniversary celebrations. I wish to
say thank you to all our staff, especially our long-serving women and men of
excellence whom we honour tonight.
Tonight’s awards ceremony
is an impressive story of the knowledge base within our organisation. Imagine
the central banking knowledge of our 38 awardees, each serving between 30 and 39
years! Simply remarkable! And lest we forget, among those not receiving awards on
this occasion, are 11 individuals who have served for more than 40 years and
whom we have previously honoured for reaching their milestone. And there are
another 130 persons who have served for 10 or more years and whose contribution
we also acknowledge here tonight. The longevity of so many speaks to an
environment in which persons have felt fulfilled in their jobs, have enjoyed
the social life that the Bank provides and
have seen material improvement in their own standard of living.
Tonight’s honourees joined
this institution when it was in its infancy, and have therefore nurtured it to
maturity. They have contributed to the abundance of first time achievements
that we have recorded, and of which we are tremendously proud.
They have fulfilled the
vision of our governors throughout our history, sharing in the responsibility
of executing the many programmes and projects behind our leaders’ purpose and
values.
They have championed the Bank
as a good corporate citizen by supporting and acknowledging its involvement in cultural
and social activities to further enrich Barbados.
They have contributed to
our sterling reputation as a leading central bank.
More importantly, our
awardees have shepherded the bank through various turbulences, economic and
otherwise.
They are the pillars of
our 45 years of strong corporate performance.
Along the way, they made great
personal sacrifices and tonight I not only hail our awardees and all our staff,
but I also say heartfelt thanks to their families, to whom we are in debt for
sharing their spouse, partner, parent or child with us over the years.
This is also a time to
look forward. My vision is that we build on our strengths, creating an
organisation that responds nimbly to the challenges that lie ahead, and demonstrating
resilience when problems arise. We are in a period of transition. Leadership of
the organisation is undergoing change and, increasingly, many of our stalwarts
are exchanging work for the leisure activity, otherwise known as retirement. Our
task is to ensure that those who remain are prepared to take up the mantle that
ensures that this institution continues to provide the quality of analysis and
advice that has been its hallmark and the quality of service that distinguishes
us from ordinary institutions.
As we look ahead to the
next 45 years, the challenges are ever present, the financial and economic
landscape is constantly changing, and our circumstances vary considerably from
1972. The new technocentric central bankers that we recruit will bring new
skills that will allow us to adapt to the changing environment while embracing
tenets of good governance, sound risk management and integrity that are central
to our success.
I wish to see the central
bank family renew itself and demonstrate energy, as evidenced by the excitement
that has prevailed in recent weeks. I am certainly buoyed by this enthusiasm
and spirit and given the collective knowledge, commitment, dedication and fervour
within the Bank, I am confident that we shall overcome, we shall triumph.
Let us continue to
support, nurture and care for each other, let us continue to include each staff
member as we work to achieve our many goals and objectives. Let us continue to
build a strong, united central bank.
To those persons whom we
honour on this occasion, let us remember that ours is the responsibility to
ensure that the legacy 45 years on is equally as fervent as that which we
celebrate tonight.
In so doing, we will
forever celebrate the excellence, stability, innovation and leadership for
which we are known and respected.
Awardees, management,
staff, past and present, you are all women and men of excellence and I salute
and honour you. Do enjoy the rest of your evening.
Remarks by Acting Governor Haynes at the CBB 45th Anniversary Awards.pdf (253.09 KB)