The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) has appointed Daenia Ashpole as chief executive officer, effective September 1, 2026.

In a release, the JBDC said Ashpole brings extensive experience in public-sector leadership, international trade and investment, policy development, corporate governance, regulatory administration and entrepreneurship.

Her professional background provides a strong foundation for leading the corporation as it strengthens its support to Jamaica’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the JBDC said.

Ashpole previously served as director of trade in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, where her responsibilities included contributing to Jamaica’s international trade policy and trade-facilitation agenda and representing Jamaica in engagements relating to regional and international trade.

Ashpole has also served as interim CEO of the Cannabis Licensing Authority, giving her direct experience in the executive leadership of a public body, including organisational management, stakeholder engagement and regulatory administration, the release stated.

Her governance experience includes service on public-sector Boards, including the Trade Board Limited, where she has served in senior governance roles, and the Consumer Affairs Commission.

The release added that Ashpole importantly also brings first-hand entrepreneurial experience. As a co-founder of a Jamaican business, she understands many of the practical realities confronting entrepreneurs, including building a brand, identifying markets, managing operations and growing an enterprise, according to the JBDC.

Ashpole holds a Master of Science in International Trade Policy, with Distinction, from The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, and a Bachelor of Science in International Relations and Spanish from The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.

Chairwoman of the JBDC Board, Dr Nadeen Spence, said Ashpole’s appointment comes at an important
stage in the development of the corporation.

“The JBDC occupies a very important position in Jamaica’s entrepreneurship and MSME ecosystem. Our
responsibility is to ensure that the Corporation remains responsive to the changing needs of Jamaican
businesses and that the programmes, services and partnerships we develop translate into measurable benefits for the entrepreneurs we serve,” Spence said.

She added that Ashpole brings a useful combination of experience to the Corporation.

“Daenia understands public policy, international trade and the environment within which Jamaican businesses must operate. She has experience leading a public body, she understands governance, and she also brings the perspective of an entrepreneur. The Board believes that this combination will be valuable as the JBDC enters its next phase,” Spence said.

According to the release, the board expects the incoming CEO to focus on strengthening the corporation’s delivery to entrepreneurs and MSMEs, improving programme effectiveness, building stronger partnerships and ensuring that JBDC’s interventions are increasingly linked to measurable business outcomes.

Among the areas of focus will be access to markets, business formalisation, investment readiness, access to finance, entrepreneurship development, innovation, digital transformation, productivity and export readiness.

Spence noted that the business environment is changing rapidly and that JBDC must continue to evolve
with it.

“Technology, artificial intelligence, digital commerce, changing consumer behaviour and new opportunities for international trade are transforming the environment in which our entrepreneurs operate. JBDC must be positioned not only to respond to these changes, but to help Jamaican MSMEs prepare for and benefit from them.”

The board will work with Ashpole to establish clear strategic priorities, performance expectations and reporting arrangements and will support a structured onboarding process during her first months in office.

The board has also expressed its appreciation to Harold Davis, deputy CEO, who served as acting CEO during the period in which the Corporation was without a substantive CEO.

Spence said the board considers it important to formally recognise his contribution.

“Mr Davis accepted the responsibility of leading the JBDC during an important period of transition. The board is appreciative of the leadership, continuity and institutional support he provided while serving as Acting CEO.”

She added: “As we welcome Ms. Ashpole, we are also mindful that effective transitions depend on preserving institutional knowledge and recognising the contribution of the people who have carried the organisation through periods of change. Mr Davis will continue to have an important role within JBDC as Deputy Chief Executive Officer.”

A structured handover is being undertaken to support continuity and to ensure that the incoming CEO is appropriately briefed on the Corporation’s programmes, projects, financial and operational priorities, stakeholder relationships and immediate strategic matters.

The board said Ashpole’s appointment also provides an opportunity to reaffirm the corporation’s
commitment to Jamaica’s entrepreneurs. JBDC provides business-development support to entrepreneurs and MSMEs across Jamaica, assisting businesses at different stages of development to strengthen their operations, improve competitiveness, access markets and build sustainable enterprises.

The board said it intends to place increased emphasis on stakeholder consultation, programme monitoring and evaluation, partnerships, value for money and measurable impact.

“Ultimately, the success of JBDC must be seen in the success of the entrepreneurs and businesses we serve,” Spence said. “Our focus must be on building enterprises that are stronger, more productive, more resilient and increasingly capable of competing in Jamaican, regional and international markets.”