Reid, new innovation minister, pledges digital transformation

Jonathan Reid has been sworn in as minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, vowing to position the island as a global leader in digital transformation and cybersecurity while driving efficiency across government systems.

Reid took the oath of office on Wednesday, marking a pivotal step towards the island’s digital transformation.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced Marsha Caddle’s resignation from the post with immediate effect and confirmed that Reid would assume the role within her administration.

Following Reid’s swearing-in ceremony, Mottley underscored the critical importance of the ministry in enhancing governmental efficiency. She stressed the urgency of transitioning from an analogue system to a digital environment to meet the growing expectations of citizens in an increasingly technological world.

“Where people’s expectations get too far from what is capable of being delivered, then you have people losing faith in the governance of the country and the systems of governance,” the prime minister said. “One of the challenges, therefore, that we have had is to be able to bring the country from an analogue environment into a digital environment. We started the process; I’d like to see us move much quicker.”

She outlined her administration’s commitment to bridging this gap and ensuring that Barbados can innovate effectively.

“Digitisation is not simply about just scanning and moving forward—you hear me talk all the time about deconstruct and reconstruct,” she said. “We don’t assume that the things that were relevant 50 years, 100 years, 70 years ago are still the things to guide us today . . . . How can technology help us to do that in a more effective and efficient way?”

She also highlighted concerns about Science and Mathematics education, noting that many young people are underperforming in these areas.

“The heads of government last week agreed that we should have an educational transformation commission,” Mottley said. “We therefore want, in particular in the area of Mathematics training, Science and training for our teachers, to work hand in glove with the Ministry of Education to ensure that we can lift our country’s interest and curiosity in these scientific and technological areas.”

Mottley also expressed hopes for improving Barbados’ industrial infrastructure through innovation.

Reid expressed gratitude to Mottley for entrusting him with this significant role. He described his ministry as one full of opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

“I think it is a ministry of collaboration where it can sow the seeds for the work that other ministries do,” he said. “When we speak of digital transformation and technologies, these are really backbones of a body.”

Reid emphasised that while his ministry’s work may not always be visible externally, it is foundational to governmental operations. “I believe the ministry is one that will be a great collaborator—one that will bring to fore a lot of the amazing work that other ministries and the cabinet are doing.”

The prime minister’s former chief of staff and advisor acknowledged both challenges and opportunities ahead but remained optimistic about what could be achieved through technology.

“The power of technology to drive efficiency gains, allowing people to do things they couldn’t do before, is a powerful tool that we must embrace,” he said. “If we can rally together and drive to see a transformative Barbados, we could be optimistic . . . It’s a country of optimism that we can do difficult things together.”

Reid also shared his vision for Barbados as a global leader contributing on an international scale.

“We see ourselves as global leaders—doing well for ourselves first and then contributing to the world,” he said. “I truly believe that, and that’s the work I’ve set out to do.”

Cybersecurity emerged as one of Reid’s top priorities for his tenure. He acknowledged its critical importance while advocating for transparency about vulnerabilities in an increasingly digital world.

“I think there needs to be honesty around it—that we live in a world where nothing’s impenetrable,” he said. “What you need to do is be very solid and do the things you can do well . . . I think there are instances where we could have done certain things better . . . There’s a deep desire to do better by it going forward.”

Reid noted ongoing efforts involving experts and investments aimed at strengthening Barbados’ systems against cyber threats. He also outlined an ambitious vision for positioning Barbados as a global hub for cybersecurity among small island states.

“The reality is that we can’t be timid about the world we live in . . . Because we know we’re vulnerable, [we must] become experts in it. So the vision is: how do we become a global hub for small island states in cybersecurity?”

Reid concluded by expressing his aspiration for Barbados to lead globally across various technological sectors: “How do [we attract] the best people—operating cybersecurity companies, software, logistics, robotics? If we have the best in the world here operating from here, our systems will be the best in the world.” 

(LG)