Ambassador Derrick Heaven the new JCPS boss … takes up office on April 1

Ambassador Derrick Heaven, the former executive chairman of the Sugar Industry Authority (SIA), has been appointed as the new chairman of the board of directors of the Jamaica Cane Product Sales (JCPS), effective April 1, 2015.

Heaven, one of the most respected voices in sugar on the global stage, will replace banker Orville Walker, who has opted not to continue in the post.

Heaven served as head of the SIA for 11 years before handing over the reins to George Callaghan. Based on his tenure in the SIA, he is seen as an authority on all matters relating to sugar.

vital industry

"Ambassador Heaven brings to the helm of this vital industry organisation in-depth knowledge of the Jamaica sugar cane Industry," stated a release from the JCPS.

Heaven came into sugar in 1999 as the chief executive officer of the government-owned Sugar Company of Jamaica Limited and subsequently became head of the SIA in 2003; he has also served as chairman of the much-vaunted International Sugar Organization.

Ambassador Heaven's tenure in public life includes serving as Jamaica's first resident ambassador to Japan, and also as high commissioner of the United Kingdom.

The directors, who will work alongside Heaven in his new JCPC posting are: Allan Rickards, George Bent, Robert G.F. Clarke, Cleveland Keddo, Paul Henriques, Wycliffe Matthews, Byron Thompson, and Karl James.