New faces on BTMI Board

As the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) continues its search for a chief executive officer, Minister of Tourism Ian Gooding-Edghill has announced three new board members.

In a statement issued on Thursday, it was disclosed that Gayle Talma, who has 30 years of hospitality experience is the new deputy chairman while Joann Roett and Kevyn Yearwood will serve as directors.

In announcing the first changes to the Board since taking up the tourism portfolio less than one year ago, Gooding-Edghill said the move resulted from a promise publicly made to work hands-on with the BTMI, closely observing and evaluating all aspects of its operations, before making any changes.

“With the inclusion of fresh blood, ideas and approaches, the intention is to bring about a certain innovation in the way the BTMI goes about doing future business at home and overseas,” he said. “That is why in putting this new board together, I have deliberately maintained a judicious blend of those previously serving and the new, in order for the BTMI to benefit from institutional memory and the breaking of new ground.”

The announcement came less than a week after the BTMI confirmed that it had parted ways with its CEO Dr Jens Thraenhart.

Minister Gooding-Edghill said he looked forward to the board additions, “together with the previous one that now has the BTMI vigorously recruiting a new Chief Executive Officer, along with other changes that will of necessity come about over time, keep the BTMI institution always primed and equipped to at least meet the needs and expectations of the all-important people of Barbados”.

He thanked former deputy chairman Wayne Capaldi and board member Iain Thompson for their contribution.

The Directors retained from the previous Board are Shelly Williams who continues to serve as Chairman; Rorrey Fenty; Terry Hanton; Sade Jemmott; Chiryl Newman; Ronnie Carrington; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism or nominee; the Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation or nominee; the Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association or nominee; and the Chairman of Intimate Hotels of Barbados or nominee.

The new deputy chairman, Talma, has worked predominantly at luxury west coast hotels as a senior executive, including in roles as Group Operations Director and Multi-Property General Manager.

The BTMI described Roett, currently a finance director at a leading iconic luxury west coast property, as an accomplished finance professional with a solid track record of practice and experience.

Meanwhile, Yearwood, who previously served on the Board of Directors of the BTMI, brings more than 35 years of experience in the cruise sector. He is the managing director of a leading cruise company.

(PR/BT)