Jamaica Observer Limited Executive Chairman Adam Stewart on Tuesday announced the appointments of Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, Christian Mouttet, and Paul Hanworth as independent members of the newspaper’s board, noting that their outstanding records as business leaders will add further value to the media house’s leadership.

“As recognised and celebrated professionals, each brings tremendous expertise, deep strategic insight, and a solid track record of governance and leadership in their respective fields,” Stewart said.

“Their addition to the board as independent directors reflects our ongoing commitment to growth, innovation, and enhancement of our strategic capabilities as we continue to lead in a dynamic media landscape, in the Caribbean and beyond,” he added.

Observer Deputy Managing Director Natalie Chin also welcomed the three new directors, saying that they will enhance governance procedures and the newspaper will definitely benefit from their vast expertise and knowledge.

“I am really looking forward to working with Butch, Christian and Paul as they have proven track records in running successful businesses in this region and further overseas,” Chin said.

Long-serving Observer director Phillip Gore also welcomed the three independent board members.

“I am confident that the unique backgrounds and perspectives that Christian, Butch and Paul will bring will add great value to the organisation,” said Gore.

Hendrickson is chairman and chief executive officer of Continental Baking Company Ltd as well as Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa in St Lucia. He is the current chairman of the board at EXIM Bank, is a vice-president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, and a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), and Stationery and Office Supplies Ltd.

Henderson also sits on the King’s House Foundation and serves as president of the Council of Voluntary Social Services.

He is a past director of Desnoes and Geddes Ltd and Kingston Wharves Ltd.

Hendrickson attended Miami Military Academy and Fordham University and has been a member of the American Society of Bakery Engineers for 30 years.

Continental Baking Company, which provides employment for more than 800 people in Jamaica, is a leading provider of baked goods such as bread, buns, crackers and snacks in Jamaica and is most popularly known for its brands National, HTB and HoMade.

Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa is an all-inclusive, 290-room hotel that employs more than 400 people.

Mouttet, a Trinidadian, is chairman and CEO of Victor Mouttet Limited, the holding company for Prestige Holdings Limited, Agostini Limited, and Mouttet Capital Limited in Trinidad.

He is also chairman of Chaguaramas Development Authority and served as chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce from July 1998 to October 1999.

Between March 2004 and March 2006, Moutett served as president of Trinidad & Tobago Telecommunications Services, and from 2009 to 2014 was a director of Republic Bank Limited.

Since 2019 Mouttet has been an executive committee member of the Caribbean Private Sector Organisation.

He studied at University of Miami and also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in business administration and political science from Wagner College.

Hanworth, a director and C-Suite leader, has more than 40 years’ finance and accounting experience in food and beverage, real estate, hospitality, and insurance in the USA, Jamaica, and the Caribbean.

He also has significant experience in mergers and acquisitions, investment analysis, divestitures and restructuring, strategic and financial planning, corporate governance, and cross-border tax considerations.

He honed his entrepreneurial skills through founding and operating Jamaica’s first specialty fine wine importer 1876 Wines.

Hanworth is also an independent director of three Jamaican listed companies — Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited, Pan Jamaica Group Limited, and Carreras Limited. Additionally, he is an independent director of British Caribbean Insurance Company Limited (BCIC).

During his tenure at Pan Jam Investment Limited, Hanworth worked with investment bankers and lawyers to execute a $200-million buyout of a diversified Caribbean and European shipping, logistics and food and beverage group.

He also led the analysis, diligence, and execution of several new investments in the consumer and tourism sectors; and

• Negotiated a US$17.5-million loan with the International Finance Corporation.

His accomplishments at 1876 Wines include growing the business from start-up by focusing on exceptional customer service and product quality while managing costs and working capital levels to balance invested capital.

Hanworth also served ICD Group as senior vice-president and CFO from 1998 to 2000, and chief operating officer from 2001 to 2004.

He holds a BA and MA (Hons) in Classics from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge University, England; as well as an MS in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Hartford, Connecticut.