Andre Palmer

Regional Executive, Business Development

You have returned home after a decade-plus in the UK and a few more in New York. What were you doing during your time away? And are you still confident that you made the right decision?

I was focused on building some international professional experience and seeing as much of the world as I could. I worked for a couple of consulting firms and my last role was as a senior account director at Gartner, where I was responsible for leading the group’s big data strategy portfolio in the UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Spain and Portugal. I later moved to the global headquarters in the US to manage the media and advertising client portfolio in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Really bad customer service aside, Jamaica has a lot to offer right now and I am still happy that I made the decision to come back home.

How would you define the meaning of life?

This is a hard one. For me, the meaning of life is finding and using our talents to help those we come in contact with so that they are moved and inspired to do the same. That ripple effect means that we, as a collective, continuously make the world a better place.

Where is your happy place?

As trite as this may sound, my happy place is right here, right now. I have become very deliberate about living in the present so that I don’t spend my time waiting or working to find my happy.

Nature or nurture?

Definitely nurture. A lot of who we eventually become is as a direct result of the things that we learn and the experiences that we are exposed to.

Is it more important to be liked or respected?

I’ll choose being respected over being liked any day.

If you could be remembered for one thing what would it be?

Inspired by a quote from Maya Angelou which says “People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did but they will never forget how you made them feel” – I’d like to be remembered for taking the time to really make people feel visible and valued.

Are you fatalistic?

Far from it! I strongly believe that we have a say in how our lives go and we can therefore shape our own realities.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is reaching the end of my life regretting that I didn’t do all that I wanted to do.

Animals or babies?

Babies, for sure — they are way more engaging and curious.

What talent do you yearn for?

I wish I could sing. Not like ‘shower voice singing’, I am talking platinum record-type singing.

How do you respond to compliments?

I don’t take compliments well — I get bashful. That’s something I’m actively working on.

What book do you recommend most to others?

The Alchemist.

What’s the one travel tip you got that you’ve never forgotten?

Always pack underwear, toothbrush and a change of clothes in your carry-on.

What lesson has been the hardest to learn?

It’s OK to fail.

What food sums up happiness?

A really good steak.

What have you never understood?

I’ve never understood why the recorder is the instrument of choice for teaching music in schools.

Finally, what’s the one thing you want to do in 2020?

Go on a road trip through all 14 parishes in Jamaica.