KINGSTON, Jamaica — John De Silva has been appointed as the new group chief executive officer (CEO) of AS Bryden Sons & Holdings Limited (ASBH) effective April 1.

De Silva previously served as the managing director of Lasco Distributors Limited for five years up to his resignation on March 13.

The Trinidadian has more than 30 years of experience, with his most recent roles being managing director of Unilever Caribbean Limited for three years and an executive with Nestlé.

De Silva takes over from Richard Pandohie, who has served as CEO of ASBH since June 2022, when Seprod acquired 60 per cent of the Trinidadian-based company.

Seprod executed a share swap in July 2025, which saw its ownership in ASBH move from 50 per cent to 80 per cent.

Pandohie is the CEO of Seprod, which is a Jamaican manufacturing and distribution firm.

The move to install a permanent group ASBH CEO comes as both publicly listed companies seek to reduce debt on their respective balance sheets.

ASBH used debt as part of its move to acquire a majority interest in Caribbean Producers (Jamaica) Limited (CPJ) between July 2024 and February 2025.

Seprod recently announced that it had sold International Biscuits Limited (IBL) as it sharpens its operational focus and optimises its regional distribution platform.