Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Insurance agent Leroy Dallas holds the President's Trophy presented to him Tuesday at Guardian Life's annual staff awards, for emerging top 'Sales Representative of the Year', at the Hilton Kingston hotel, New Kingston.

If you couldn't find some of your Guardian Life agents last Wednesday, it's probably because they were gathered at the Hilton Kingston hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston.

The occasion was the life insurance company's annual awards which saw representatives from all the Jamaican branches and a few from Belize, being recognised for their contribution.

The company's executives rewarded over 100 members of staff. Employee of the Year went to Paulette Lawrence, while Leroy Dallas took the equally prestigious Sales Representative of the Year award.

And a good year it was too for Guardian Life as despite the crime, rising oil crises, hurricanes and elections, the company still generated revenues of over six billion dollars, a 14-per-cent increase over last year.

But apart from the sales persons who carried the message of the company to thousands in 2007, the star of the show was Taurus Riley. The singer completely had the audience captivated from the moment he entered with Stay With You. His original material soon followed and When I'm Far Away, Backbiter and Lion Paw all brought good response. And once he performed She's Royal they were officially his puppets.

Guests included Tessa Usher and Judy McCutcheon (both from the Belize operations); Fay Hutchinson, Anlyn Nembhard, Ronald James, Denny Heath, Delta Barrett, Moncrieffe Leslie, Rupert Billett, Errol Thompson, Paula Wilson, Diana Robinson, Valery Neil, Georgina Mitchell, Delroy Watson, Carolyn Redley, Shericia Bowen, Margaret Salter, Myrtle Brown, Hector Smith, Violet Richards, Michelle Williams-Tucker, Hyacinth Ennis, Ralph Hall, Fitzroy Brown and Klao Bell-Lewis.

Tarrus Riley presents Emma Thomas with a rose as he sings to Guardian Life Insurance Company staffers during their annual awards and luncheon at the Hilton Kingston hotel, New Kingston. - photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Tarrus Riley serenades Guardian Life Insurance Company staffers