Youth leadership push as Mr Executive Challenge 2026 launches

The Mr Executive Business and Gentleman’s Challenge has returned with an expanded format and the first private school entrant in its history, marking what organisers call a milestone for fostering innovation and leadership among students.

The launch of the Mr Executive Challenge 2026, at the Solidarity House auditorium on Monday, brought together educators, entrepreneurs and past participants to unveil a broadened programme.

In a significant development, the Barbados Seventh-day Adventist School joined the competition, becoming the first private school to participate in the initiative since it began.

Program Director of the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation Celeste Foster said the foundation remained committed to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in young Barbadians. “Our mission remains to create opportunities where youth can explore, experiment and execute their ideas,” she said, emphasising the role of entrepreneurship in driving national development.

David Simpson, Director of the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation, applauded the challenge for equipping students with essential business and leadership skills: “This gives participants a real taste of the executive mindset, balancing creativity, responsibility and results.”

Title sponsor, Director of Personal and Business Banking at CIBC Caribbean Michelle Whitelaw urged students to see the challenge as more than a competition: “It’s a journey that builds resilience, discipline and vision.” 

The competition’s founder and mentor, Winston Cumberbatch, encouraged participants to take ownership of their ideas. “Every great business starts with a small, brave step,” he said.

The 2026 edition will feature multiple phases, including leadership workshops, team-building sessions, mentorship opportunities and final business presentations.

The Mr Executive Challenge serves as a cornerstone of youth entrepreneurship in Barbados, bridging education, innovation and mentorship to prepare future leaders for success, organisers said. (LE)