(L-R) Gemel Sobers, Director, Corporate Banking; Stephane Burke, Country Manager; Colette Delaney, CEO; Mark McIntyre, Managing Director, FirstCaribbean International Bank Cayman Limited. Photo: Provided

Colette Delaney, new CEO for CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank with staff in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Provided

Ms Delaney was accompanied by Mr Mark McIntyre, Managing Director, FirstCaribbean International Bank Cayman Limited and Mr Gemel Sobers, Director, Corporate Banking.

The two-day trip, which included visits with regulators and tours of Tortola and surrounding islands, culminated with a client event hosted at the newly refurbished banking hall in Road Town, Tortola. Ms Stephane Burke, Country Manager welcomed Ms Delaney and specially invited guests including the Premier, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE and Mrs Lorna Smith, OBE and Dr The Honourable Kedrick Pickering, Minister for Labour and Natural Resources before introducing Ms Delaney to the gathering.

“It’s very encouraging to be here with you in this very modern facility which I must commend Stephane and her team for. Many of you have been long-time clients of CIBC FirstCaribbean and have seen the changes that the bank has undergone over recent years in our efforts to provide products and services that meet your needs. As many of you have acknowledged, and as illustrated by our new and open surroundings, the bank has come a long way over the last couple of years and my stance as CEO designate is to stay focused on improving what we do with the aim of delivering what you want, efficiently and to your satisfaction,” said Ms. Delaney.

At a meeting with all the VI bank’s staff, Ms Delaney encouraged the team to continue to strengthen the focus on clients with professionalism and to take pride in their work.

“I am very impressed with the commitment that you have all demonstrated in the workplace over this past year. You can be proud of what you have achieved under tough circumstances and I have confidence that as we continue to work together, the talents and strengths you each bring to the team makes us more than capable of delivering on our promise to our clients,” said Ms Delaney.

On-the-Spot awards were presented to Ms Etma Penn, Customer Service manager, Ms Sandi Parillon, Operations Supervisor and Ms Diane Francis, Manager, Retail Banking and Operations.  Ms Francis was also given an award for an “Amazing Idea” she submitted and which has since been implemented.

Ms Delaney, who succeeds Mr Gary Brown effective November 1, 2018, is a banking professional of thirty years who started her career with National Westminster Bank plc before joining CIBC in 1987 and CIBC FirstCaribbean in 2013. Ms Delaney is also a member of the board of CIBC FirstCaribbean. She has visited the VI on several prior occasions in her previous role as the bank’s Chief Risk and Operating Officer with responsibility for the bank’s Regional Country Management including local regulatory and client relationships.