No tears were shed but an admittedly confessional Jacqueline Sharp declared the occasion a truly emotional moment at the farewell reception hosted in her honour last Thursday evening inside The Venetian space at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel. The outgoing Scotiabank Jamaica President and Chief Executive Officer who dedicated 20 years of service to the financial institution and set precedence as the first woman to lead Scotia’s regional base, was effusive in praise as she recounted her journey rising through the ranks of the bank, graciously thanking those who guided and aided her along the way. “It takes a village to achieve the success that I had,” Sharp noted, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the bank’s management team and supportive staffers.

“I am grateful [too] for the tutelage of Bill Clarke, Minna Israel and Bruce Bowen, who all are no longer with the bank,” Sharp said. The banker divulged that she found client feedback both critical and instructive during her tenure at the top, and was grateful for encounters with Scotiabank customers at supermarkets, airports, schools and sporting events.

Turning to matters on the homefront — with her Coffee Traders Limited director husband Jason among the scores of well-wishing assorted industry holding audience — Sharp said stepping down as President will now change being away from her family sometimes for protracted stretches on account of work travels. “There were missed milestones and a laptop was always in bed at night,” she shared, before adding to much laughter that her spouse would be delighted to know that the laptop would no longer have a major starring role at bedtime hours. Addressing her successor David Noel, Sharp said “stakeholders are in capable hands” and championed his oversight abilities.

Sunday Social registers its own best wishes to the outgoing Sharp alongside coworkers, clients and friends who came out to bid her adieu. We take a gander at the event.

(Photos: Naphtali Junior)