New CEO for H&L

Simon Roberts

Simon Roberts has been appointed to the post of chief executive officer of Hardware and Lumber Limited (H&L), with effect from November 1.

Roberts, formerly general manager of GraceKennedy Logistics Services, takes over from Joseph Taffe, who acted in the post since August, following the early retirement of Anthony Holness.

Philip Alexander, who has worked 29 years with the GraceKennedy group, replaces Roberts as head of the logistics business.

While no immediate comment was forth-coming from Roberts on his new position, chairman of H&L, Erwin Burton, said the transition has been seamless.

H&L, the retail and wholesaling building material subsidiary of conglomerate GraceKennedy Limited, has since last year, been struggling to regain profitability with declines in the construction industry.

Last year, H&L lost $285.6 million.

It continued in the red in the first and second quarters, chalking up more losses of $139.6 million in the six months to June 2009.

Taffe is expected to resume his substantive post of deputy chief executive officer of GK Investments at the end of November.

Two promotions at Scotia

The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited has announced the promotions of two executives: Wayne Hewitt assumes the post of senior vice-president of corporate and commercial banking, while Hugh Miller now holds the position of vice-president - treasury, Scotia Group.

The appointments took effect June 1, 2009.

New IDT chairman

Norman Wright

Attorney Norman Wright, QC, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) by Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles.

Charles told lawmakers that his ministry has also discussed with the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), the possibility of appointing Clinton Davis, a former deputy chairman of the IDT, and Charles Jones, former chief personnel officer in the Office of the Services Commission, as deputy chairmen of the tribunal.

"Collectively, these men will offer their expertise to the IDT and assist in improving the efficiency of the tribunal," Charles said in the House of Representatives.

Wright's appointment became effective on October 1 and Jones and Davis on November 1. Wright replaces trade unionist Donovan Hunter as chairman of the IDT.

business@gleanerjm.com

JSE, RMOC appointments

Nicole Lambert has joined the board of the Jamaica Stock Exchange as independent director, representing the Jamaica Bar Association, and will sit on the Regulatory and Market Oversight Committee (RMOC).

Central banker Livingstone Morrison, who is also an Independent director of the JSE, is the new chairman of the RMOC. The appointments fill vacancies left by Hilary Phillips who resigned as RMOC chair and JSE director after her appointment as judge of Court of Appeal.

business@gleanerjm.com