On June 22, Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Youth Affairs hosted a targeted youth development workshop focused on two critical pillars for young professional growth: practical financial management and principled ethical leadership. Following the event, department officials publicly extended their gratitude to the session’s lead speaker, veteran financial and business consultant Anthony Stuart, as well as local coordinator Kelly-Ann Boatswain, for making the engaging, skill-focused session a success. Officials also highlighted the foundational support of the program’s two major sponsors, the Sandals Foundation and Flow Antigua, whose contributions turned the community-focused initiative from a planned project into a tangible, impactful event for local youth.
A native of Antigua, Stuart brings unparalleled professional expertise to this youth outreach work, boasting more than three and a half decades of hands-on experience spanning the finance, banking, insurance, and business development sectors. His academic and professional credentials underscore his authority in the field: he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Economics, a Master of Business Administration with a specialized focus on Finance, and holds professional certifications as a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. Beyond his private consulting work, Stuart also serves as a business lecturer at the School of Business and Management at The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, giving him extensive experience translating complex financial concepts for emerging professionals.
Stuart’s cross-sector career background further enriches his perspective for youth audiences: he has held leadership and technical roles in both the public and private spheres, including stints with Antigua and Barbuda’s Customs Department and Audit Department. He previously served as Executive Director of the St. John’s Development Corporation, and currently works as Senior Financial and Business Consultant at Personal Financial Solutions, a locally owned Antiguan consultancy firm.
For the Department of Youth Affairs, this workshop is far more than a one-off community event. It is part of a sustained, ongoing strategy to arm young Antiguans and Barbudans with the practical, real-world skills they need to thrive in modern workplaces and launch their own ventures. Beyond hard financial skills, the program prioritizes fostering a culture of ethical decision-making, strong leadership capabilities, and entrepreneurial ambition among the nation’s youth. Department representatives emphasized that the ongoing program continues to deliver long-term value, nurturing innovation, ethical practice, and professional resilience among the next generation of young leaders and entrepreneurs across Antigua and Barbuda.