THE 2006 fantasy/action flick 300 is the basis of the Sagicor Life Jamaica Holborn Branch’s approach to competition, excellent service and recruiting new “Spartans”. For this reason the Spartan leader, Sagicor Life Jamaica Holborn Branch Manager Christopher Lawe, invited his team members to an intermediate awards ceremony on Saturday, March 9 at ATL Autobahn, Lady Musgrave Road. Guests were chauffeured from the neighbouring parking lot in BMW M240i, 330e, 5 series, and X1 models.

Friday Social greeted a number of top execs from the Sagicor family at the Spartan Awards, a well-executed concept designed by the Phase 3 Productions team. The group later hosted its annual corporate awards on Tuesday, March 12 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

Saxophonist Warren Harris and keyboardist Kamla Hamilton provided entertainment on the lanai during cocktail hour. Award-winning caterer Lorraine Fung and her team served Asian nibbles, downed with cocktails provided by the Barcode team.

Much to the delight of the Spartans, the grand cinema-style ceremony started with scenes from the film 300, and the formalities – conducted by media personality Debbie Bissoon and dancehall recording artiste Serani — rolled on. DJ Coppermarc’s humorous musical input kept the awards presentations moving in a timely manner.

Congratulations came from Sagicor Group Jamaica Chairman Richard Byles and President and CEO Christopher Zacca. In his address, Zacca shared well-wishes and a big announcement. “…A good politician never makes an address without an announcement,” he stated before declaring Sagicor Holborn Branch Manager Christopher Lawe as senior branch manager. We reckon name card changes are in order for the new senior manager.

Further highlights included Channel Officer Everard Smith’s entertaining poem championing the Spartan pride, Loeri Robinson’s confetti-strewn acceptance of the Advisor of the Year award, several reruns of scenes from 300, and a pearl-clutching recount of Lawe’s near-death crash experience that was played on the big screen. Lawe then caused a tizzy when he rolled up into the showroom in a brand-new Topaz BMW M3 sports car. The alarms went off immediately.

Recipient of the evening’s top honours, Sagicor Production Club chair Loeri Robinson, in her vote of thanks underscored the importance of gratitude, prayer, hard work and determination. The after-party followed.

Snaking lines along the kerb proved how much the Spartans enjoyed the Asian fare from the Catering by Lorraine team. The Spartan Awards was indeed a well-deserved celebration for one of Sagicor Group’s top-achieving branches that has reached 218% of the premium income quota, $380 million in API, and the only branch to have all three unit managers exceeding their 100% productivity margins, all while having a number of the group’s top execs under their belt. Friday Social rolls with the Spartans!