Derek Jones

Caribbean Cement Company Limited, a monopoly producer of cement in Jamaica, has named two new directors to its board: Bevon Francis and Derek Jones, effective January 22.

Bevon Francis

Seprod Group of Companies has promoted Julian Rodney as general manager of Serge Island, its dairy subsidiary, with effect from April 1. Prior to his appointment, Rodney, who has an MBA with a background in engineering, previously held the post of business development manager.

Rodney took over from Abdul Salam Shaik.

Shaik had a two-year contract as technical manager that he opted not to renew when it expired. He was, at the same time, acting in the capacity as general manager.

"He was employed as technical manager and, given his general management experience, he also acted as general manager for a while," said Byron Thompson, chief executive officer and group managing director.

Thompson said he acted in the post when former GM, Paul Matthews, left the company.

Rodney, who has been with Seprod for one and a half years, was inherited by Seprod when the Jamaican manufacturers acquired the assets, as well as manufacturing and distribution rights, of Kraft Foods Jamaica.

Stephen Spence

On March 17, Stephen Spence, the chief executive of technology company SMS Communications Limited, was elected new president of the Young Entrepreneurs' Association (YEA), replacing Aldain Reid.

Spence in 2007 was seen as one of the most promising entrepreneurs, emerging winner in the inaugural Digicel-sponsored Young Entrepreneur of the Year, topping six nominees.

Spence's YEA executive includes Samuel Coates, first vice-president; Douglas Lindo, second VP; Duane Thomas, secretary; and Lance Hunter, treasurer.

The YEA is an affiliate of the Jamaica Employers' Federation.

Britain has named a career diplomat who is currently the British high commissioner for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean as the next governor of the Cayman Islands.

The United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office said Duncan Taylor will take over the post in January 2010. He will replace Governor Stuart Jack, who is scheduled to leave this wealthythree-island grouping in November.

Taylor has held diplomatic positions in West Africa, Japan, Cuba and Hungary since he started his career in 1982. He has been stationed in Barbados since 2005.

The governor sets the agenda for the islands' Cabinet and must sign all laws approved by the British Caribbean territory's government.

Vinnette Notice

Vinnette Notice, branch manager of RBTT Mandeville, emerged winner of the All-Island Boss of the Year competition. Janice Davis, a secretary at the Runaway Bay HEART Hotel and Training Institute, was sashed All-Island Administrative Professional of the Year in selections held April 5.

Four parishes participated in the competition run by the Jamaica Asso-ciation of Secretaries and Adminis-trative Professionals (JASAP).

The selections were held in Montego Bay.

Megan Deane, deputy managing director of National Export/Import Bank, was the runner-up boss, while Yolanda Dixon of JASAP's Manchester chapter was runner up secretary.

The Jamaica Livestock Association (JLA) has also announced that principal shareholder and managing director, Henry J.Rainford, was "unanimously elected" chairman of the company at a board meeting held April 7.

Rainford holds the largest block of shares in the $1.2-billion company by assets, amounting to more than 17.5 million shares.

JLA, whose 7.5 per cent preference shares are publicly traded, continues to have mixed fortunes. The company, having reported a $12-million surplus a year ago, is now reporting an accumulated deficit of $236 million at February 28, 2009.