Since 1921, when the FCIB opened its first location on King and Harbour Street, downtown Kingston, the institution has been tasked with facilitating social and economic transformation and putting customers first. ‘Twas for this reason, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank (FCIB) Managing Director Nigel Holness invited esteemed customers, bankers, business executives and representatives of the financial and corporate sectors to an after-work shindig at the Talk of the Town, Jamaica Pegasus hotel, last Tuesday. The two-pronged client cocktail reception served to introduce the newly appointed FCIB CEO Colette Delaney (the first female CEO, who was appointed in November), and present the bank’s first major social event for clients.

Presentations were handled by Holness, Delaney and guest speaker Wayne Henry, director general at the Planning Institute of Jamaica. Ahead of their addresses, guests nibbled scrumptious hors d’oeuvres from the hotel and imbibed cocktails from the well-appointed bar, all while Wayne McGregor & Friends entertained with live performances.

Holness described Delaney as a “consummate banking professional with over 30 years of experience, who spearheaded and navigated the CIBC FCIB since joining the team in 2013”. Adding that “as the landscape continues to evolve, at the helm driving the success of this business across the Caribbean is our first female CEO, Colette Delaney. It’s no longer a man’s world!”

Before introducing Delaney Holness underscored Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke’s keynote address at the recent opening of Parliament, urging that “we still have choppy waters ahead, and [the FCIB] is ready to set sail on the high seas and make Jamaica an island state that all can be proud of”.

In her address, the newly appointed CEO walked guests through the recent developments of the economic market, stating that “Jamaica, after many years of hard struggle, continues to be a bright spot on the horizon. Reflecting prudent management on the part of your government, there was a corresponding reduction in expenditure, resulting in a surplus during April to November 2018”.

Guest speaker Wayne Henry opened his “Growth: The Next Phase”-themed speech with humour. The former lecturer outlined the discussion he’d led on the real GDP for the current fiscal year, examining the performance for the first half (April to September), and the expectations for the remainder of the year. Henry closed with the mention of a February 19 article in the Financial Times, titled “Lessons from Jamaica for small countries with big debts”, referencing the improvements in the economy during harsh financial times.

Friday Social took notes.