IF you ever found yourself inside a room with an experienced finance expert, a personal development and executive coach, a sports fanatic, a certified volleyball coach, a champion of financial inclusion, a doting husband, and a devoted dad — that room would probably be pretty cramped. Not so if you’re with Sean Yearwood, who has all these titles and recently added another, country head — VM Wealth Management Limited Barbados office.

Yearwood is a home-grown finance expert in Barbados who is tasked with leading VM Wealth’s first office outside of Jamaica. The office began operations in Barbados on January 22 after VM Investments Limited, VM Wealth’s parent company, acquired Republic Funds Incorporated mutual funds, now renamed VM Wealth Funds. He is eager to leverage the power and experience of VM Wealth to achieve strong business results, and also help improve financial knowledge among the people of Barbados.

“One of the things I’m most looking forward to, is helping to expand and strengthen the investment culture in Barbados. Investing can create the type of financial freedom that not enough Bajans are exposed to. They could benefit from the knowledge that it isn’t just for the wealthy; that they can plan for their own futures and the futures of their loved ones,” said Yearwood.

His focus on improving financial literacy aligns with the long-standing mission of VM Group, the Jamaican financial enterprise established 145 years ago to drive empowerment through financial access and inclusion. Yearwood’s own desire to help teach and uplift others started a long time ago, growing up in Bank Hall, in the south-western parish of St Michael, Barbados.

“It’s a small, close-knit community. Well, everything in Barbados is small compared to Jamaica,” Yearwood laughed. “I could go to anyone’s house and use anyone’s phone and play with anyone, as long as the sun was up and there would be no worries. Wherever you are you would be fed, but when the street lights start to come on, be home!”

Yearwood developed an appreciation for community and a desire to see all people succeed during his early days in Bank Hall. This only got stronger when his family moved to a farm in the community of Hothersal Turning. It was an experience that Yearwood described as ‘empowering and educational’.

“We had chickens, sheep and pigs on the farm. We mostly grew vegetables. I was responsible for tomatoes when I was younger and okras when I was older. We also had thyme, lettuce, corn, sweet potato and lots of fruit trees. I learned patience from working with the crops and the animals. I learned about the need for hard work and the value of things. I was always seeking better and faster ways to get things done,” he said.

While living on the farm, Yearwood attended Erdiston Primary, where he played table tennis for the school. He moved on to Queen’s College Secondary, where he played basketball, table tennis and ran cross country.

“Can you tell I love sports?” he joked. “I then went to Barbados Community College where I studied economics and mathematics, playing some more basketball. Finally, I went to University of the West Indies, Cave Hill — twice.”

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Management, as well as a Master of Science degree in Investments and Wealth Management.

“I was really good with numbers from a very young age. I had two close family friends who worked at the Central Bank of Barbados and I was always very intrigued with the place and what they did. During my time at UWI studying economics and management, I got an opportunity to work as a temporary filing clerk firstly in corporate banking and then in international business banking. My intrigue for finance and investments and wealth management in particular grew from there and I never looked back. I stayed because I realised how this field could generate wealth for myself and those around me,” said Yearwood.

He would go on to build a now 15-year career in finance, working his way into senior management and executive roles at various institutions in Barbados. His appointment as country head of VM Wealth Management’s Barbados Office is particularly exciting for him.

“What attracted me most about joining the VM Group was the organisation’s strong push to improve financial education. I have a real desire to add another option for the people of Barbados and the wider Caribbean to achieve financial well-being. I’m excited to leverage the strength of a group that is 145 years old and still seeking to innovate and improve for the benefit of its members. I believe this is a new chapter for Caribbean financial empowerment.”

Yearwood has been enjoying getting to know Jamaica and more Jamaicans as he steers the VM Wealth ship in Barbados.

“I am a sports fanatic, so I’ve always supported and loved Jamaica, firstly for their sports. I spent many days at my friend’s house with his Jamaican mom, so I loved the few people I knew — and the cooking! Since I have joined the VM Group and been to Jamaica, what I would say is that the people are even friendlier than I could have imagined and I am very impressed with the level of development of the financial markets and systems in place,” he said.

Yearwood has big plans for VM Wealth Funds Limited.

“My vision is that we will be seen as the premier solution for investments and wealth management needs and education in Barbados and the wider Caribbean. I want us to be synonymous with simplifying investments, promoting financial well-being and providing access to financial health and wealth through the products we offer,” he said.

Yearwood, his wife Lucinda and two children are all taking on this new journey with tremendous enthusiasm.

“We’re one loud, happy, loving family, and, like everything else, we’ve approached this new phase together. I’m really confident that a new day has dawned in Barbados where investing and financial education are concerned. It’s going to be a meaningful journey and I am really looking forward to what’s to come,” he said.