KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica (YEA) has announced the appointment of Chris Williams as its honorary chair, a move aimed at positioning the organisation for its next phase of growth, influence and impact.

According to a release on Tuesday, the appointment comes as YEA President Cordell Williams prepares to demit office in 2026 following a period of significant expansion and national engagement for the organisation.

Cordell said that as the association looks to the future, it was important to identify someone who not only understands entrepreneurship at the highest level, but who also believes in building people, systems and institutions.

“Several names were considered, but this decision was carefully guided. Chris Williams brings a rare combination of vision, credibility, experience, and genuine commitment to developing entrepreneurs. We believe he is the right person to help steward the association into its next dimension of growth,” he said.

The appointment carries special significance as Chris was also the featured guest speaker at the launch of YEA in 2026, making his return to the organisation as honorary chair a full-circle moment.

Widely regarded as one of the Caribbean’s most accomplished business leaders, Chris spent more than three decades building and scaling successful organisations. He served as chief executive officer of NCB Capital Markets and later co-founded PROVEN Group, helping guide the company from a start-up venture to a financial conglomerate with approximately US$3 billion in assets.

He was also selected by Richard Branson to chair the Branson Centre of the Caribbean, where he supported the development of entrepreneurs across the region. Chris also played a role in the establishment of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market as a charter committee member and later deputy chairman.

Today, he serves as co-founder and chairman of different Group, a Caribbean-focused real estate investment company.

In accepting the appointment, Chris emphasised the need for a more disciplined and structured approach to entrepreneurship.

As honorary chair, he will serve as a strategic adviser and mentor to the association’s leadership while helping to strengthen relationships with the private sector, investors, policymakers and the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica is a national organisation dedicated to equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, knowledge and opportunities needed to build sustainable businesses, create jobs and contribute to Jamaica’s economic and social transformation.