On Monday, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA) made a key leadership announcement: seasoned business and civic leader Shafia T.T. London will take office as its new Chief Executive Officer on July 1, tasking her with steering the Caribbean nation’s tourism sector through a period of targeted strengthening, modernization, and sustainable expansion.
London brings nearly 20 years of impactful, forward-thinking leadership experience spanning local and regional markets to her new role. She built her early career foundation in local economic development as Executive Director of the SVG Chamber of Industry and Commerce, before launching a distinguished corporate trajectory that began with a marketing manager position at St. Vincent Brewery Ltd and ultimately led to senior regional executive appointments.
Her career ascent included multiple executive roles at Barbados-based Banks Holdings Limited Group, the parent company of Banks Breweries and PINEHILL Dairy, where she progressed through roles as group marketing manager, group commercial manager, and finally country head. Later, as country head for AB InBev — the world’s largest brewing conglomerate — she oversaw cross-market operations across Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica, consistently delivering strong revenue growth and expanded market reach. Her strategic vision and operational performance earned her the 2022 title of Top ABI Business Leader for the Caribbean and Latin America, a testament to her industry standing.
After a corporate merger and acquisition, London stepped into the role of general manager at the SLU Group of Companies, a member of the KOSCAB group, where she led operational optimization and large-scale business transformation projects. Most recently, she served as First Vice President of the Barbados Manufacturing Association and as SVG’s technical representative to the Caribbean Private Sector Organization.
In an official press release announcing the appointment, SVGTA highlighted that London’s decades of broad corporate leadership experience will be a critical asset as the authority works to build stronger cross-sector partnerships, attract targeted tourism investment, and embed greater commercial discipline into its operations. Beyond her corporate career, London is also an active entrepreneur, a background the authority says will give her a unique perspective on strengthening connections between the tourism sector and local businesses — especially small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of many local communities.
Outlining her core priorities upon taking office, London emphasized a commitment to actionable execution and measurable, equitable outcomes. “Together with the minister, board and team at SVGTA, my immediate focus as CEO is to transform our destination as a brand, elevate our marketing strategies, and forge stronger alliances with local, regional and international stakeholders,” London stated. She added: “Attracting and bringing visitors and investors is part of the mission. Just as crucially, we must enhance the on-island experience for every visitor while expanding opportunities for local communities — ensuring the economic benefits of tourism are felt widely and equitably.”
The SVGTA Board of Directors noted that London’s rare combination of deep marketing and commercial expertise, hands-on entrepreneurial experience, and broad regional industry connections makes her uniquely positioned to lead the authority at a time of significant growth opportunity and sector transformation.
Academically, London boasts an impressive resume: she holds a Master of Business Administration with distinction from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill campus, a Master of Science in biochemical engineering from University College London, and a First-Class Honours Bachelor of Science from UWI St. Augustine. She is currently completing a doctor of business administration. A product of St. Vincent’s local education system, she is an alumna of Langley Park Government School and St. Vincent Girls’ High School, was awarded a national scholarship in 2003, and has earned multiple honors for academic excellence.
Beyond her professional and academic accomplishments, London maintains a deep commitment to civic and community service. She made history as the first female president of the Rotary Club of St. Vincent, and actively supports a wide range of youth and social development initiatives across the region. Her community contributions earned her the GTM Regional Unsung Hero Recognition.
A native of Dickson Village, St. Vincent, London is the daughter of the late popular local talk show host EG Lynch and Millicent Johnson. She is married to former attorney general Grenville Williams and has two sons.
The press release concluded that under London’s leadership, which pairs sharp business acumen with a demonstrated commitment to community uplift, SVGTA is poised to enter a dynamic new era of growth. The organization expects to elevate St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ global profile as a top travel destination while cementing tourism’s role as a powerful, inclusive engine for local economic development. As a reminder, SVGTA is the official body tasked with promoting and developing tourism across the island nation, working to position the country as a competitive contender in both regional and international travel markets.