The Jamaica Observer has learned that Debra Lopez-Spence, vice-president of small and medium enterprises at Scotiabank, is to leave that role on December 31 to take up a new post as a business and executive coach at Action- COACH Jamaica.

When contacted, Lopez-Spence told the Business Observer she had learned so much while at Scotiabank, but was looking forward to this new opportunity that would allow her to contribute more to the development of small, medium and larger enterprises in Jamaica, while impacting the transformation of the private sector.

“So, I’m taking this leap, and the bank has been extremely supportive as I am pursuing my passion,” she said.

Lopez-Spence, who saw how ActionCOACH worked with SMBs while at Scotiabank, will take up her new role in February 2016.

Lopez-Spence has been with Scotiabank for almost six years, having started there as centre director for the Scotia Private Client Group in February 2010. Prior to that she was wealth director and retail sales director at CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank from 2008 to 2010. Before that she worked with NCB Capital Markets from 2004 where she was vice-president of wealth management and distribution.

Lopez-Spence holds an MBA from Florida International University and a BSc in Economics and Finance from Barry University, also in Florida.

Collie hangs his own shingle

Robert Collie, attorney-at-law, will leave his position as an associate at Myers Fletcher and Gordon (MF&G) on December 11 to open his own law practice.

Collie said he decided to go into his own practice as: “I believe I need to expand into my specialised areas — and for that I need to be more nimble.”

“Real estate development is my main area,” Collie told the Business Observer, but noted that his other specialties include environmental law, land use and planning and estate planning and succession law.

Collie first started at MF&G in 2006, moving on to be the director of the legal services and enforcement division at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) from 2011 to 2014. He has been a law tutor at the Norman Manley Law School at the University of the West Indies (UWI) since 2010.

Collie, whose practice will be on Ardenne Road near New Kingston, will not be taking on a partner to begin with, but will be hiring an attorney out of law school.

Collie is a Jamaica scholar and holds a Bachelor of Laws from UWI, and a certificate in legal education from the Norman Manley Law School. He is also a Justice of the Peace.

Harrison joins Seprod

Winston Harrison, former general manager at Jamaica Beverages Limited, has now joined the executive management team at Seprod Limited as the group trade marketing manager, effective December 1, 2015.

Harrison worked at Jamaica Beverages from November 2014, and was previously territory manager for Symantec Corporation from 2013 to 2014. Prior to that he was vice-president of partner management for Fujitsu Caribbean from 2005 to 2012. He also worked as corporate sales manager at Digicel from 2003 to 2005, and as national sales manager at Diageo from 1995 to 2003. He started his career in securities, first as a presiding officer for the Jamaica Stock Exchange from 1989 to 1992 and then as a senior equities trader for Security Brokers from 1992 to 1995.