Devon Barrett

General Manager, Victoria Mutual Wealth Management

What’s your earliest memory of Kingston?

Going to track and field events at the National Stadium and at school at Kingston College. As a young boy, I remember KC being the place everybody wanted to go and I wanted to be a part of that.

What would you do if you were mayor of Kingston for a day?

I would bring tourism back to Kingston. Kingston is one of the hottest cities in the Caribbean, and as a matter of fact, this side of the world. Partying and nightlife is a big part of Kingston and a lot of people like that. Music is also a big part of what we do here in Jamaica, and people miss out on that by not coming to Kingston where it all happens. We need to improve our tourism product and make Kingston more attractive.

What would be your recommendations to a first-time visitor to Kingston?

I would suggest a trip to Port Royal because it has a rich history, and you could incorporate a stop for seafood at Gloria’s. I would also recommend Marketplace or even Sovereign Centre where there are good restaurants. I would propose a visit to the Bob Marley Museum and a hike to the Blue Mountains.

What life lessons have you learnt as a manager?

Team play is foremost — it’s important to utilise the people that you work with because you cannot do it alone. You need a team to have a winning environment. Reinvention and innovation are also critical. I work for a company that is 130 years old, and if we didn’t change the way we did things over the years, we certainly would not be at the point where we’re existing now. We have to look at what is coming next, so we can be part of the evolution.

You lead a wealth management organisation. Why should wealth creation be considered important?

At the end of the day, the desire is to move your generation beyond the previous one. You want to get to a point where you can create wealth and keep it. Our company sees wealth creation as existing more than for today. Some people talk about retirement, but I prefer to see it as passing the baton as it is the next generation that will build the country and the world.

Who are your business idols?

I like Sagicor’s Richard Byles right now. He’s a cool customer under pressure. We’ve seen where his business has changed over time, and has pretty much made things work through innovation and creation. Internationally, I like Bill Gross from the US management firm, Pacific Investment Management Company. Gross sits in a world where he has to manage investments for the whole life cycle of clients, and he has to change with the environment. He is a strategic thinker who comes up with creative solutions that will make things work for the future.

Victoria Mutual has returned as a title sponsor for The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards. What real value has the company realised from this partnership?

The big thing for us is exposure. I have found there is no such thing as too much exposure and the flip side of that is that when you’re out of sight, you’re out of mind. We saw a lot of that last year where somehow people saw us more and began talking to us about new opportunities. What we have had to do is take those opportunities and monetise them into good on-the-ground trade opportunities. We also think the Food Awards is a classy event, and I remember when it started 16 years ago it had a lot of naysayers that it wouldn’t last, but people have seen the creativity and expertise of the booths and food, and it has created a whole new set of people looking to do food that they never used to do, and also create a new way of dining.

Where are your favourite must-dine eating spots?

In Kingston, I enjoy going to the Spanish Court Hotel, and the real reason is that the food is good but the atmosphere is absolutely excellent. The service is great, and I sat down and had a meal there and didn’t want to leave as I was satisfied. Outside of Kingston, I love the Pelican in Montego Bay; it’s been around so long, and the standards and consistency are maintained.

What cologne are you currently splashing?

Jean Paul Gaultier.

Share the title of the last book you read.

Who Moved My Cheese by Dr Spencer Johnson. It reinforces that change is inevitable.

What artiste or album are you listening to?

I used to be a lover of dancehall, but like the softer reggae side of music now. Chronixx is my favourite artiste right now.

Share fave places in your travel black book.

I love Hawaii. It reminds me of Jamaica; the beaches and countryside are similar but they have an Americanised lifestyle to the Caribbean experience; I go to Trinidad as often as I can make it and the carnival there always blows your mind; I’ve been to Las Vegas which has a lifestyle of its own and as they say, ‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’; I enjoy Los Angeles, which has a movie-star lifestyle and they have a distinct ability to create something out of nothing. I also love the South Beach area of Miami in both the daytime and nightime, and it has a Caribbean feel.

You’re at an international management conference and stuck in the elevator. Which three persons do you want to spend 20 minutes with?

Barack Obama because he’s the first United States President of colour, and he has done his job better than other persons have. He has come from so far behind and has ensured that he is winning and has more pressure than others have had before, and is comparable to any and better. I like Bill Clinton because even though they say Obama is the first black president, Clinton had the kind of love for our race and rooted for us; we have to think he was black somewhere in his past. The other person is Warren Buffett, who I think is an absolute visionary. He takes emotions out of his decisions and makes it business. One of his quotes happens to be a favourite of mine: “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”

What is your life philosophy?

My philosophy is surround yourself with winners, and you’ll become a winner too.