FROM boardrooms to Gordon House, Ramon Small-Ferguson — CEO of Barita Investments Limited, managing director of Barita Unit Trusts Management Company Limited, and now newly appointed senator — views his role in the Upper House as an opportunity to expand his impact beyond the financial sector to the national stage.

He described his Opposition senator appointment last week as a humbling experience.

“I have always been somebody [who] has been focused on having impact, not only in a micro way with respect to my professional endeavours but just having impact in a broader way on the nation…I have been in the financial services sector now for almost 14 years, and I have always been focused on trying to bring the industry forward with whatever I have done.

“This represents, to me, an opportunity to have an impact in a different way. In reading the oath and really verbalising my commitment to Jamaica and the Jamaican people, the emotions were high. I felt every word, and it was a commitment in the truest sense,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

For over a decade Small-Ferguson has built his career in the financial services sector, carving out a reputation as a forward-thinking leader with technical skills and a passion for progress. He’d previously served as chief investment strategist at the Jamaica National Group and is the alternate director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Small-Ferguson also holds directorships with E-commerce Property Services and Digital Global Marketing, and is now in his third term as president of the Jamaica Securities Dealers Association (JSDA).

With a stellar background in the financial world one would wonder about his motivation for entering the public sector and, by extension, the political landscape. However, the senator told the Sunday Observer that he has always seen the private and public sectors as adjacent to one another. He stressed that his decision to serve is not rooted in politics, but instead in the changes and impact he can have on Jamaica.

“This, to me, is a platform from which I can apply the experience I have gained in the private sector to influence change from a public sector perspective — whether it is policy or otherwise — with the view of serving the Jamaican people. Both things are, to me, complementary to one another,” said the Barita Investments Limited CEO.

Senator Ramon Small-Ferguson (left) and Opposition Leader Mark Golding, moments after the swearing in of senators and Members of Parliament at Gordon House last Thursday.

“It is not either or — it is building almost a mountain of service to this country. It is broadening the platform from which I can serve, which is how I looked at the decision. It was not for me [to look] at it in a political frame, it was more [like], ‘Here is an opportunity for me to apply everything I have learned over the years, invested in my profession, to serve Jamaica in a very specific way,’ ” he stressed.

Small-Ferguson shared that while he has the utmost respect for his father — former Minister of Health Fenton Ferguson who served the people of St Thomas Eastern as their representative for six terms — and his political career, he always shied away from following in his footsteps. Now a senator on the Opposition bench, he said he will take with him the spirit of sacrifice and the values his father possessed.

“He went into politics with the same kind of service mentality in mind and gave of himself for over 30 years with great effect. I have seen the change that he has been able to influence, whether as a Member of Parliament or a minister, and that is something that really resonated with me. It is certainly through his work that he has taught me a lot of values, discipline, integrity, and just focus and determination,” the newly minted senator told the Sunday Observer.

As he reflected on his string of achievements and responsibilities Small-Ferguson said his life has never been a flat race. Instead, it has been filled with different responsibilities and hurdles that he has scaled. He thanked his family and support team, who hold trust in his leadership.

“I wish to especially thank my Cornerstone and Barita family and, in particular, our group’s founder and Chief Executive Officer Paul Simpson for the invaluable role he has played in my professional journey. Paul was among [those who] recognised my potential as an emerging talent in the financial services sector and provided me with a platform of tremendous scale and influence from which to make an impact on our industry. That opportunity, and the guidance I have received along the way, have undoubtedly helped pave the path to this new chapter of public service,” said Small-Ferguson.

As he readies to take on his new role the senator said he will play to his strengths. He said he’s looking forward to robust debates on financial matters on the agenda for this term, and working on matters to improve the lives of ordinary Jamaicans.

“There are matters surrounding regulatory reform to do with the implementation of a twin peaks regulatory model, where the Bank of Jamaica will be focused on credential regulation and the Financial Services Commission will be focused on market conduct regulation.

“The legislative slate in relation to that is expected to come to a head during this five-year or four-year period and, therefore, that is something that is definitely near and dear to me. We are also in the midst of seeking to finalise a resolution regime for the financial services sector, and that is legislation that will come as well,” said Small-Ferguson.

He added that he’s also looking forward to discussions on closing the gaps of inefficiency and modernising the legislative framework of Jamaica.

“I know it is going to be a sacrifice but I think it is a sacrifice that is more than worth it for the Jamaican people. It is an honour for me to serve in this way, and I am ready to give of myself, give of my time, give of my resources, as necessary, to serve effectively in this role,” said the senator.