Jordan claims Mr Executive crown

Jaidan Jordan of Alexandra School emerged the 2026 Mr Executive champion, claiming the top prize in the Mr Executive Senior Boys Business and Gentleman’s Challenge.

The finals, which brought together five standout contestants, saw the young men modelling and delivering powerful victory speeches. 

Reacting to his victory, Jordan said the moment had been long envisioned: “Three weeks I imagined this… it is an unbelievable feeling and I told Alexandra that I will bring home the win.”

Elias Duncan of the Ellerslie School declared: “I don’t just aim for excellence, I’m establishing a legacy because real executives don’t just chase limits, we create them.”

Founder Winston Cumberbatch reflected on the competition’s steady growth since its 2017 launch at St Leonard’s Boys’ School, noting this year’s journey spanned “six months, 14 schools, 63 young men.”

“A child cannot grow without a family,” he said, thanking supporters. “I proudly recognise you, our extended family, because without you, we could not be here.”

The competition tested participants across several real-world scenarios, including job interviews, business pitches and social etiquette. In the CEO project pitch, Jordan won over the audience with his proposed company JAI Sports, while Jaden Bakker of Christ Church Foundation School impressed in the date segment using his gentlemanly prowess.

A new segment called “Manager on the Spot” challenged contestants to respond to workplace scenarios, with Team B emerging victorious.

Jordan’s win came with a near-perfect score of 237 out of 254 also capturing the top saver award. Kemani Maynard of Queen’s College placed second, while Bakker secured third. Azari Deterville of St Leonard’s Boys’ was fourth and Ellerslie’s Duncan finished fifth, though he also captured the People’s Choice Award.

He was presented with his sash by former titleholder Tajare Forde.

Speaking during the finals, Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman praised the initiative for shaping “confidence, innovation and excellence” among Barbados’ young men and saying the programme goes beyond academics, giving participants the tools to succeed in life.

“This initiative allows for young men to be able to express themselves, to be confident, and to be able to be innovative… to do things that prepares them for life even after they leave school,” he said.

“It is not simply about the attainment of grades… they must have the skills, the attitude, the values, and excellence which will help them to navigate life.”

Blackman challenged the finalists to continue beyond the competition, noting that success is not defined by placement alone.

“This is a journey and it is not the final destination… some of the ideas that did not win oftentimes went on to become the multi-million dollar ideas that transformed the world,” he said.

(LE)