PERRIN Gayle is returning to Scotia Group Jamaica Limited (SGJL) less than two years after leaving for rival National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCBJ), this time taking up the position of managing director of the Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited (BNSJ) as the financial group separates leadership of its banking operations from oversight of the wider business.

The appointment, announced Tuesday by Scotia Group President and Chief Executive Officer Audrey Tugwell Henry, takes effect November 9, 2026, and places Gayle in charge of the bank’s strategy, day-to-day operations and overall performance. He will report directly to Tugwell Henry, who retains responsibility for the strategic direction and oversight of the wider group.

The move marks a return to familiar territory for Gayle, who spent more than a decade rising through Scotiabank’s ranks before resigning in January 2025 to join NCBJ as executive vice-president of retail banking. His departure at the time came just days after Scotia announced his resignation, ending a career with the institution that began in 2012 and included senior assignments in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

His return comes with an expanded mandate and a leadership structure that Scotia says is intended to strengthen corporate governance.

Under the arrangement, Gayle will be directly accountable for the management and performance of BNSJ, the group’s banking subsidiary, while Tugwell Henry will continue as president and CEO of the parent company.

According to Scotia, the separation of responsibilities is consistent with regulatory requirements and industry standards, establishing clearer lines of accountability between the bank’s operations and the broader financial group.

“We are pleased to welcome Perrin back to Scotiabank. His depth of banking expertise and proven ability to deliver results will strengthen our leadership team as we advance our strategy, with a clear focus on delivering an exceptional banking experience for our clients,” Tugwell Henry said.

Gayle brings more than 20 years of banking experience spanning retail, small business, corporate and commercial banking, as well as customer experience across the Caribbean.

During his previous tenure at Scotia, he served as senior vice-president of corporate and commercial banking before moving to lead the bank’s retail operations in Jamaica in January 2021. A year later, he was promoted to head of retail banking and small business for Scotiabank’s Caribbean North and Central region, covering Jamaica, The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands.

The regional appointment placed him in charge of personal banking services, including deposits, mortgages, credit cards and retail lending, alongside responsibility for developing the bank’s small and medium-sized enterprise portfolio.

During his time leading retail banking in Jamaica, the bank credited Gayle with delivering double-digit growth in mortgages and overseeing changes to customer service operations that improved complaint resolution times and customer satisfaction.

He subsequently rose to executive vice-president of retail and small business banking and acting head of retail for the Caribbean and Central America before leaving Scotia in January 2025.

His appointment as managing director now puts him at the helm of the banking subsidiary, with responsibility for executing its strategy and managing its performance, while Tugwell Henry maintains oversight of Scotia Group’s wider operations.

The new leadership arrangement comes as financial institutions continue to place greater emphasis on governance, operational efficiency and customer experience amid changes in the banking landscape.