Saunders builds new career

William Saunders is now settling into his position as general manager of LS Duhaney and Company, a Kingston-based retailer and wholesaler of electrical and lighting products. He has now completed his first six months.

A trained architect, Saunders was previously an architect for Buildwise from 2012 to 2014, and technical manager for Palgay Caribbean from 2009 to 2012.

While a senior architect at MODE Ltd from 2000 to 2009, Saunders was the local lead architect for the multimillion-dollar project to redevelop the Norman Manley International Airport.

Prior to that, Saunders started his architectural career as a junior architect at Kay Quinton Architects in 1994.

Saunders holds a bachelor of architecture from Howard University in the United States. He is a member of the Jamaica Institute of Architects.

Whitehorne moves to Caribbean Mobile Innovation

Robert Whitehorne is now project manager for Caribbean Mobile Innovation, according to an update on his LinkedIn profile.

Whitehorne has more than 20 years of experience leading teams within local and multinational corporations, with roles in general management, project management, technical sales, business development and product development.

Whitehorne previously worked as business solution manager for PBS where he started in 2013. Prior to that he was head of marketing, products and purchasing for Intcomex from 2012 and managing director of CLEC Network Services from 2008 to 2012. Other roles included director of CALATEL / AVANZIT, head of product development, major accounts and partner sales at Cable and Wireless Jamaica and general manager for COMMNETT Jamaica.

Whitehorne studied computer studies at UTech in Kingston and the comprehensive management programme specialising in IT at the Life Insurance Management Institute (LOMA), his LinkedIn profile states.

Wilkins appointed to CANTO chair

Julian Wilkins, Digicel Group Head of telecommunications public policy, was appointed as chair of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organisations (CANTO) on January 27, according to a Digicel news release.

Wilkins has been on the CANTO board since 2008, but this is the first time since CANTO’s inception that a Digicel senior executive has been appointed chair.

“I feel honoured to be appointed as chair. I will continue to work with all CANTO members, large and small, to find common ground that will best serve the industry and our consumers whilst ensuring open dialogue with all stakeholders”, Wilkins said in the release.

Wilkins transferred to the Digicel Group in 2008, having previously joined Digicel Trinidad and Tobago in 2006. Prior to that, he worked in his home country of Antigua as operations engineer for the Public Utilities Authority from 1994. Prior to that he worked as an engineer at British Telecom in the UK for 18 years.

Wilkins was educated in the UK, and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Henley Business School as well as full telecommunications City and Guilds qualifications.

Francis steps up to director at FirstCaribbean

Owen Francis has been appointed director of retail banking channels for CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank Jamaica, effective January 1, 2015. He will be responsible for the strategic expansion of the Retail Business in Jamaica.

Francis has more than 20 years experience at FirstCaribbean, and was previously a district manager for retail, wealth and small business.

Other roles he had with the bank include: acting wealth management director for the British Virgin Islands, senior assistant manager for the King Street and New Kingston branches in Kingston, branch manager for Port Antonio, and senior manager for the premier banking /wealth management centre.

Francis started at FirstCaribbean in 1993 as an account manager in the corporate banking division, subsequently moving to retail.

Francis holds a MBA in finance from the Manchester Business School in the UK and a Banking Diploma (ACIB) from the Chartered Institute of Bankers, also in the UK.