Central Bank of Barbados Celebrates Commitment and Excellence at 2024 Staff Awards Gala

The Central Bank of Barbados celebrated its team of dedicated employees at the prestigious 2024 Staff Awards Gala and Dinner hosted at Wyndham Grand Sam Lord’s Castle on Saturday night. The event, held under the theme Elevate, Empower, and Excel: Internalizing Excellence, highlighted the bank’s commitment to recognizing and honouring outstanding staff members.

Dr Kevin Greenidge, Governor of the Central Bank, in his welcome remarks reflected, “When I laid out my vision on internalising excellence at my very first staff meeting back in March 2023, I made it clear that for me it had to begin with a happy engaged staff. We did a survey to garner your level of happiness and then a separate one to measure your degree of engagement. The results for both were extremely pleasing, but we recognised that acknowledging your commitment, your hard work and your dedication to the institution both in terms of your tenure and the quality of your service that you have given is core to keeping you engaged and happy.”

Dr Greenidge underscored the importance of empowering employees, stating, “Great ideas don’t have to flow from top to bottom, they can flow from bottom up.”

He acknowledged, “We achieved much in the last year, with the help of each of you the bank has excelled.” Though there are additional goals to be achieved he encouraged, “Tonight, let’s reflect on our success, let’s celebrate each other, both those who received awards and those who have not received, but everyone has contributed.”

Hosted by Ché-Annika Mayers and Sherwood McCaskie, the event honoured 33 long-serving employees who spanned across various departments. For the first time, the institution shone a spotlight on employees who have reached their five-year milestone. The tenures celebrated throughout the night extended to 45 years of service.

Among the honorees were Cheryl Greenidge and Charmaine Haywood who have devoted 40 years of service, while Hyacinth Moore received accolades for her remarkable 45 years with the organisation.

In a newly reintroduced Special Awards category, 20 employees were acknowledged for their exemplary contributions with Deputy Governor Alwyn Jordan presenting these distinguished awards. The recipients included:

Best Shot of the Year Award for Security: Andrew Forte.

Service Excellence Award: Catrina Forde and Janelle Ward (tie).

Exemplary Work Award: Simone Forrester and Janelle Pollard-Jones.