Chairmanship of the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has been transferred to the Honourable Premier and Council Member for Montserrat, Joseph Easton Farrell, during a Handing Over Ceremony on 23 July.
Premier Farrell succeeds Outgoing Chairman, the Honourable Prime Minister and Council Member for Saint Christopher (Saint Kitts) and Nevis, Dr. Timothy Harris.
The Monetary Council is the highest decision-making authority of the ECCB and comprises the eight Ministers for Finance of the ECCB member countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Christopher (Saint Kitts) and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Chairmanship of the Council is rotated among the member countries in alphabetical order on an annual basis.
Meanwhile, Dr. Valda Henry has been announced by the Monetary Council as the next Deputy Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). A native of the Commonwealth of Dominica, she is the first from her territory to be appointed to that position, and the first woman so appointed. Her five-year term will commence in September 2021.
Dr. Henry previously worked as Senior Investment Officer at the ECCB from 1994-1998. She brings a wealth of experience to her new role with over twenty (20) years of experience in the public, private and financial sectors. The holder of a PhD in Industrial Relations and Business, she is also a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Certified Global Professional in Human Resources, a SHRM-SCP.
The Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB) Inc. has applauded these two appointments. Ms. Wendy Delmar, CEO of the regional organisation, welcomed Premier Farrell and Dr. Henry to their respective positions.
“We at the CAB look forward to continuing our deep working relationship with the ECCB, under the stewardship of Premier Farrell,” Ms. Delmar said. “The Bank has been crucial in helping the subregion navigate through a plethora of challenges over the years. Most recently, obviously, the organisation has been critical in supporting the management of the pandemic, and we at CAB look forward to supporting them going forward.
“It is always a pleasure to see more women taking up senior positions of influence, and in particular at our major regional organisations,” Ms. Delmar continued. “In 2020, we began an interview series showcasing the women in the Caribbean financial services sector, and I look forward to having Valda on. I am personally thrilled for her as, having met her last year, I find her drive and enthusiasm immensely impressive.”
The appointment of Dr. Henry follows the recent selection of Dr. Carla Barnett as the 8th Secretary General of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM. The ECCB and CARICOM are both honorary members of CAB.
