Carib Scope

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  • Septuagenarian Murdered in Orange Walk

    Septuagenarian Murdered in Orange Walk

    A 70-year-old local farmer has become the victim of a brutal homicide in Orange Walk, leaving his community and family reeling from the senseless violence. Francisco Garcia was reported missing before his mutilated body was discovered in a bushy clearing a short distance from his Santa Martha Road bungalow on Monday afternoon.

    The grim discovery was made by Garcia’s son, who grew concerned after multiple attempts to contact his father went unanswered. When he arrived at the property to check on Garcia, the son found clear signs of a forced break-in: the family home had been thoroughly ransacked by intruders.

    Law enforcement officers who responded to the scene found a black-handled machete suspected to be the murder weapon, which was recovered from the property’s yard with apparent blood residue. Investigators also documented broken glass louvres at the residence, confirming that several personal belongings were stolen during the incident. The missing items include an iPhone 11 smartphone, a three-burner cooking stove, two portable gas tanks, and a wheelbarrow.

    News of the murder has sparked grief and frustration among local residents, many of whom have taken to social media to express their reactions. A grieving relative of Garcia shared an emotional post on Facebook, writing, “How could they do this??? They took him away from us! Rest in peace Tio, Granny, Granpa and my dad welcoming you while we are at a loss!” Other community members have voiced growing concern over persistent violent crime in the area, with one Facebook user commenting, “Another Murder, when will all this murders end?”

    As of Tuesday, local law enforcement has launched a full investigation into the killing, working to identify and apprehend the perpetrator or perpetrators responsible for Garcia’s death. No suspects have been named publicly at this stage of the investigation.

  • Call for greater autism awareness in public spaces

    Call for greater autism awareness in public spaces

    Over the last 12 months, families of autistic children in Barbados have reported a sharp uptick in frustrating encounters in public spaces, especially grocery stores, reigniting demands for local businesses to adopt more flexible, compassionate policies and deepen public understanding of autism spectrum needs.

    Chantal Fields, Events and Coordination Chairman of the Autism Association of Barbados, shared these insights with local outlet Barbados TODAY on the sidelines of the organization’s annual Autism Awareness Walk, held Tuesday. While she acknowledged that general public awareness of autism has advanced in recent years, Fields emphasized that countless caregivers still face unnecessary barriers during routine outings.

    “I’ve had so many parents reach out to me with these complaints,” Fields said. “A little grace goes such a long way; people need to understand that not everyone can navigate a supermarket trip the same way.”

    She explained that one of the most common points of friction stems from widespread supermarket rules banning children from riding inside shopping baskets or trolleys — a safety measure many parents rely on to prevent elopement, a common behavior among autistic children that can put kids at severe risk in crowded, busy public spaces.

    “For example, some autistic individuals are prone to wandering off unexpectedly,” Fields explained. “That turns a simple trip to pick up groceries into a constant exercise in keeping your child contained. But when parents try to keep their child safe by placing them in a shopping trolley, many supermarkets now have signs prohibiting the practice, and staff will step in to stop them. For our families, this isn’t a convenience — it’s a safety issue.”

    Fields called on local businesses to adopt a more accommodating approach, noting that small adjustments could drastically reduce the daily burden carried by autism families. She even proposed a simple compromise: allowing children to ride in trolleys if parents can provide formal confirmation of their child’s autism diagnosis, to balance store policies with safety needs.

    “Every person on the autism spectrum functions differently, and some need that extra layer of support, whether that means containing a child who elopes or other small accommodations,” she said. “Just a little flexibility can make a world of difference.”

    Fields did highlight bright spots amid ongoing challenges, pointing to gradual improvements in workplace support for autism parents. A growing number of Barbadian employers have introduced more lenient scheduling policies, allowing caregivers to adjust shift times or step out for therapy appointments without fear of penalty. “A lot of parents have told me their workplaces have been really supportive,” she said.

    When it comes to inclusive education, however, progress remains in early stages. Fields noted that the Barbadian Ministry of Education is currently piloting new inclusive schooling frameworks, but the reforms are not yet fully rolled out. “It hasn’t been launched system-wide yet, it’s still in its pilot phase,” she explained. “It might not benefit families currently navigating the system, but it should create better outcomes for the next generation of autistic people coming through in the next five years.”

    Looking ahead, the Autism Association of Barbados is partnering with the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPIT) to launch new skills-based training programs for autistic adults, covering in-demand vocational areas such as cooking and carpentry. The initiative is designed to help participants build employable skills and access sustainable work opportunities. “Opportunities are starting to open up, and people are becoming more receptive to including autistic individuals in the workforce,” Fields said.

    Overall, Fields assessed that while ongoing autism awareness campaigns have moved the needle on public knowledge, significant gaps in understanding remain. “It’s a mixed picture,” she said. “We’ve been doing consistent outreach and awareness work, and people are learning more, but there are still a lot of areas where understanding just hasn’t caught up.”

    Fields’ comments came during the association’s annual Autism Awareness Walk, which drew more than 300 supporters who gathered as early as 6:30 a.m. to participate. Participants began their route at the Social Empowerment Agency, winding through Lower Collymore Rock, Culloden Road, Beckles Road and Dalkeith Road, circling the Garrison, traveling along Highway 7, and returning to the starting point. The event concluded with a group cool-down session led by Spinny, serving as a visible public push for wider acceptance, awareness and practical support for autistic people and their families across Barbados.

  • Jamaicans encouraged to support local chocolatiers

    Jamaicans encouraged to support local chocolatiers

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Against the backdrop of a globally renowned fine cocoa sector, Jamaica’s top agricultural commodities regulator is calling on local consumers to prioritize domestic chocolate makers, a move that officials say will drive industry expansion and lift economic fortunes across the island’s cocoa supply chain.

    Chevonne Aschute, acting Senior Director for Cocoa and Coconut at the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA), laid out the appeal during a recent JIS Think Tank session hosted at the news agency’s television studios in central Kingston. Aschute noted that local cocoa farmers and chocolate producers have significantly scaled up output in recent months, positioning the sector for broader growth if domestic consumer demand matches rising production.

    “At our core, we have a philosophy: we grow what we consume, and we consume what we grow,” Aschute told attendees. “That is why we need to stand behind our local chocolatiers. This collective effort will help our entire nation move forward. Jamaica has a global reputation for producing exceptional, high-quality goods, and our cocoa is no exception — that makes supporting local all the more critical.”

    Jamaica holds a rare, elite status in the global cocoa market: it is one of just a handful of countries globally to earn 100% “fine flavour status” from the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). This designation is awarded only to cocoa with extraordinary sensory qualities, distinct flavor notes, and superior overall quality that sets it apart from bulk commodity cocoa. As a result, Jamaican cocoa commands a significant price premium over standard bulk cocoa on international markets, creating a built-in competitive advantage for the country’s producers.

    Aschute emphasized that increased local support for domestic chocolate makers will create a ripple benefit throughout the entire supply chain, starting with the smallholder and commercial farmers who grow the cocoa. “When consumers buy from local chocolatiers, producers can pay farmers a higher rate per kilogram or per box of their harvested cocoa,” he explained. “This creates a reciprocal cycle of growth that ultimately improves livelihoods for every person working in the sector, from farm to retail.”

    To maintain the industry’s coveted quality reputation, Aschute confirmed that JACRA continues to partner closely with cocoa farmers across the country. The authority provides guidance, training, and quality control measures to ensure all harvested cocoa pods meet strict international market standards, preserving the fine flavour profile that makes Jamaican cocoa a premium product worldwide.

  • Public urged to avoid non-native monkeys after St Elizabeth sightings

    Public urged to avoid non-native monkeys after St Elizabeth sightings

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Invasive species have triggered a public safety alert in Jamaica this week, after non-native monkeys were documented and captured in multiple communities across the parish of St Elizabeth, prompting the country’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to call for extreme public caution.

    Following confirmation of the sightings, NEPA released an official statement identifying the animals as white-faced capuchin monkeys, a species that is not indigenous to Jamaica’s ecosystems. The agency outlined a range of serious risks tied to the monkeys’ unauthorized presence: the primates can carry zoonotic pathogens capable of spreading to humans and domestic livestock, they disrupt local biodiversity by outcompeting native species for resources, and they pose a direct threat to agricultural crop production that supports local livelihoods.

    To prevent accidental exposure or harm, NEPA has issued a clear directive: the public must not approach, handle, or attempt to capture any of the animals on their own. Early reports of sightings and captures have come from six St Elizabeth communities: Lacovia, Elgin, Mountainside, Newell, Hounslow, and Malvern. Viral clips circulating across Jamaican social media platforms show groups of up to three monkeys, with unconfirmed reports indicating at least one animal has already been captured by local residents and may still be held privately.

    In response to the incident, NEPA has assembled a multi-agency response team that includes Jamaica’s Veterinary Services Division, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and Hope Zoo. The partnership is working to locate all of the unregistered primates, secure them safely, and transfer the animals to quarantine facilities for mandatory veterinary health assessments. Agency representatives have also collaborated directly with local community leaders to coordinate response efforts and spread public safety messaging.

    Beyond the risks posed by the monkeys themselves, NEPA has issued an additional warning about potential illicit activity linked to the sightings. The agency is urging residents to be wary of individuals who falsely claim to represent government authorities in order to gain access to the captured monkeys for illegal private trade. Under Jamaica’s existing wildlife regulations, the importation, private possession, and unlicensed trade of protected wildlife are criminal offenses, most often tied to transnational illicit wildlife trafficking networks. Violations of the Endangered Species (Protection, Conservation and Regulation of Trade) Act carry maximum fines of up to JMD $2 million for convicted offenders.

    NEPA is asking any member of the public with information about the current location of the monkeys, or about how the animals entered Jamaica, to contact the agency directly, reach out to the Veterinary Services Division, or file a report with their local police station.

  • Major pipe shipment arrives for Western Water Resilience Improvement Project

    Major pipe shipment arrives for Western Water Resilience Improvement Project

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — On a Wednesday inspection stop in Freeport, Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica’s Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda reviewed pre-deployment potable water pipes and custom fittings earmarked for the groundbreaking first phase of the Western Water Resilience Improvement Project (WWRIP-1), a transformative infrastructure initiative aimed at shoring up water security across western Jamaica.

    According to an official government release published the same day, the first phase of the project carries a $170 million price tag, and centers on the design and installation of 65 kilometers of new ductile-iron potable water transmission mains. These purpose-built pipelines will replace the most vulnerable segments of the region’s aging water network, tackling long-standing systemic issues that have plagued communities and businesses for decades: crumbling outdated infrastructure, sky-high non-revenue water losses that waste millions of gallons of treated water annually, and growing pressures from accelerating climate variability.

    Minister Samuda clarified that the first phase’s $170 million investment is only the initial chunk of the full program, which will total $450 million in infrastructure spending across all phases. He framed the cross-cutting initiative as far more than a standard utility upgrade, calling it a core nation-building effort and a generational investment that will open new avenues for economic activity and entrench long-term social stability for decades to come.

    WWRIP-1 represents a massive technical and logistical undertaking, developed explicitly to lock in long-term water access for the four parishes that make up western Jamaica. The project is designed to boost interconnected hydraulic systems and expand storage capacity, ensuring the region’s water infrastructure can structurally keep pace with the rapid economic and tourism growth that has positioned western Jamaica as a key driver of national economic output.

    Three critical water transmission corridors will be upgraded concurrently under the first phase. The work includes major renovations to the existing Martha Brae and Great River Water Treatment Plants, as well as the construction of a brand-new water treatment facility in Roaring River, Westmoreland.

    The new transmission pipelines installed under the project will range from 500 to 800 millimeters in diameter, a size upgrade that will dramatically increase the transmission capacity of the Northwest Interconnected Water System. To cut down on environmental disruption and reduce the amount of private and public land that needs to be acquired for the work, project planners have intentionally aligned all new pipeline routes with existing highway and road corridors.

    Samuda highlighted that the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) is the optimal governing body to deliver the complex project on an accelerated timeline, noting that the authority’s structure allows it to deliver the required infrastructure within the 20-month target delivery window. He stressed that without the expanded executive authority enshrined in NaRRA’s founding legislation, the government would fail to deliver the project Jamaican citizens need, derailing plans to put the country on a sustainable path of growth, help residents achieve their long-term goals, and secure national prosperity.

    The full project is structured as a multi-year works order contract aligned with the Jamaican government’s long-term fiscal planning framework, with the first phase scheduled for completion by the 2026–2027 fiscal period. VINCI Construction Grands Projets is leading implementation on behalf of the National Water Commission (NWC), working in close coordination with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), National Works Agency (NWA), and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to safely manage construction activities across high-traffic urban centers and popular tourism zones.

  • WATCH: Russell defends Brown Burke following parliamentary mace incident

    WATCH: Russell defends Brown Burke following parliamentary mace incident

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A heated late-night debate over critical draft legislation has pushed parliamentary tensions to a boiling point, leaving Jamaica’s legislative body grappling with a public display of discord over how opposition lawmakers say their voices are being sidelined in key policy deliberations.

    The controversy unfolded Tuesday night inside Gordon House, Jamaica’s parliamentary building, during the clause-by-clause review of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill, a piece of legislation focused on national recovery and adaptive governance. As debate grew increasingly contentious, opposition Member of Parliament Angela Brown Burke made contact with the ceremonial mace, a centuries-old symbol of parliamentary authority. In response, Speaker Juliet Holness formally named and suspended Burke from the chamber. When Burke repeatedly refused to comply with orders to leave, parliamentary marshals were called to remove her, forcing an immediate pause to all legislative proceedings.

    In the wake of the confrontation, senior opposition lawmaker Kenneth Russell has broken his silence, framing the outburst as the inevitable outcome of a broken deliberative process that has left opposition representatives feeling shut out of negotiations on major bills.

    Russell confirmed that the opposition caucus does not condone Burke’s physical action, acknowledging her breach of parliamentary protocol was wrong. But he pushed back against framing the incident as an isolated act of insubordination, arguing the toxic, exclusionary environment inside the chamber created the conditions for the confrontation.

    “Honestly, the session has gotten to the point where we didn’t feel like we were being heard,” Russell explained. “We didn’t think it was fair. There wasn’t enough time allocated for us to hold the discussions we needed to have on behalf of the constituents we represent. She did what she did to get attention, to make sure our concerns were finally heard.”

    For opposition lawmakers, the frustration runs deeper than a single piece of legislation. Russell noted that the pattern of sidelining has left the caucus feeling cornered into taking more dramatic action to be heard. “We are working in an environment where we feel as though we have to push the limits,” he said. “We are here to represent our people. We are here to have our voices heard on issues that impact them, and when that isn’t possible, a bit of rebellion becomes necessary.”

    After the temporary halt, proceedings eventually resumed, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness calling on all lawmakers to reset, restore order, and uphold the institutional dignity of the Parliament as the review of the NaRRA Bill continued.

  • Bike tour billed as ‘major push’ for health tourism

    Bike tour billed as ‘major push’ for health tourism

    ST JAMES, Jamaica — A long-running cross-island cycling event is marking a milestone for Jamaica’s growing adventure and health tourism movement, according to the event’s lead organizer. Dennis Chung, who serves as former interim president of the Jamaica Cycling Federation, CEO of Discover Jamaica by Bike, and Chief Technical Director at the Financial Investigations Division, calls this year’s six-day ride the first major step the country has taken to tap into the high-value health tourism niche that tourism leaders have discussed for years.

    The sixth iteration of the event will kick off officially on May 1, with a welcome reception held a day earlier for an expected 35 to 40 full-event participants coming from across the globe. Additional cyclists often join the route for individual legs along the way, pushing the total number of participants higher across the course of the trek. Unlike standard competitive cycling races, the event is designed to blend athletic challenge with immersive cultural tourism, showcasing Jamaica’s natural scenery, local communities, and signature cuisine to international visitors.

    Chung emphasized that the initiative’s core goal extends beyond creating a fun, challenging experience for cycling enthusiasts. Backed by major support from the Jamaica Tourist Board, the event is intentionally structured to deliver tangible economic benefits to local residents and small businesses across the island. Local cyclists are hired as tour guides for visiting riders, both during the official event and for independent cyclists visiting Jamaica outside the event window, creating sustained new income opportunities for Jamaican cycling community members. Every stop along the route is planned to direct participants to local street vendors, family-owned restaurants and regional hospitality businesses, spreading tourism revenue far beyond the main resort hubs.

    The cross-island route is strategically staged to start in Montego Bay, a choice driven by the city’s major international airport that offers more flight options for overseas visitors and close proximity to a wide range of accommodation. On the opening day, riders travel from Montego Bay to Negril, where they get the chance to relax on the famous Seven Mile Beach, sample local seafood dishes, and shop at neighborhood vendors. The second day carries riders from Negril to Mandeville, with planned food stops at iconic local spots in Border, which sits on the boundary of St James and St Elizabeth parishes, and Middle Quarters in St Elizabeth. This leg is one of the most physically demanding sections of the entire trip, culminating in the long, steep climb up Spur Tree Hill that serves as a signature challenge for returning participants.

    The third day of the trek moves riders from Mandeville to Jamaica’s capital, Kingston, with more stops at local food and craft spots along the route. After exploring Kingston, participants will head to the parish of Portland, a fan favorite among returning riders that offers some of the most scenic stretches of the entire route. Chung noted that the route through Portland and neighboring St Thomas also highlights the major improvements that have been made to Jamaica’s rural road infrastructure in recent years, making the area far more accessible for cycling tourists. Following a day of relaxed exploration of Portland’s coastal and mountain scenery, the group will travel back to St James, with a planned lunch stop in Ocho Rios and refreshment stops at local coconut vendors along the route.

    Chung added that most participants choose to extend their stays in Jamaica for several extra days after the official event wraps up, turning the cycling trek into a full vacation. For cycling enthusiasts around the world, blending a challenging multi-day ride with immersive cultural experiences and the natural beauty of Jamaica creates a one-of-a-kind tourism product that fills a key gap in the country’s expanding tourism offerings. For local communities, the growing popularity of the event is turning a beloved recreational activity into a sustainable driver of local economic growth.

  • WATCH: Farmers central to recovery and future of high-tech agriculture, says Green

    WATCH: Farmers central to recovery and future of high-tech agriculture, says Green

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a keynote address at the recent Recovery and Investment Forum held at Hope Gardens, hosted jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Minister Floyd Green has positioned Jamaican farmers as the backbone of the island nation’s post-disaster recovery and long-term food sovereignty, calling them the most foundational contributors to Jamaican society while laying out a bold vision for a modernized, technology-integrated agricultural sector.

    Green emphasized that the ongoing Hurricane Melissa Recovery Programme, a $1.98 billion initiative launched after the destructive Category 5 storm, is far more than a short-term relief effort: it is a strategic investment to construct a more climate-resilient, efficient industry that can protect Jamaica from future food supply disruptions. “This is a month dedicated to honoring our farmers,” Green told the assembled crowd of producers, agricultural input suppliers, and financial industry leaders. “Any time you sit down to a meal, you owe a farmer a word of gratitude. No matter how advanced or prosperous an economy becomes, food production will always be non-negotiable for national survival.”

    He recalled that the global COVID-19 pandemic served as a critical wake-up call for Jamaica, when widespread border closures sparked urgent fears over food access, cementing the importance of a strong, self-reliant local agricultural sector for the country. At the core of the government’s recovery strategy is RADA, which Green identified as the central engine driving support for impacted farming communities across the island. He praised the forum as a critical collaborative space that connects key stakeholders to align on both immediate recovery needs and long-term investment opportunities.

    To date, the massive recovery program has already delivered tangible results for more than 19,800 of the over 70,000 farmers impacted by Hurricane Melissa, with approximately $221 million already disbursed to restore agricultural productivity across the island. Green outlined early milestones in crop recovery: more than 14,000 packs of high-quality seeds have been distributed, enabling the rehabilitation of 840 hectares of damaged farmland. This early intervention has already driven a measurable rebound in domestic vegetable supplies, with Green noting that consumers are no longer facing widespread shortages in local markets. “People aren’t complaining about what they can’t find anymore — there’s abundant supply, whether you’re looking for cabbage or lettuce,” Green said, framing this rebound as the successful completion of the program’s first recovery phase.

    Beyond immediate relief, the forum highlighted the Jamaican government’s push to modernize the country’s agricultural sector through technology. Attendees got a first-hand look at cutting-edge tools being rolled out for domestic producers, including agricultural sprayer drones, data-collection drones for crop monitoring, and mechanized equipment such as tiller tractors and soil augers. Rollout of these technologies is supported through public-private partnerships with sector suppliers, with the core goal of boosting production efficiency and helping Jamaican agricultural goods become more competitive in global export markets.

    Financial resilience was another central focus of the event. Around 200 farmers from multiple Jamaican parishes met with representatives from leading national financial institutions, receiving one-on-one guidance on agricultural insurance products and climate risk management strategies designed to help producers better absorb the impact of future extreme weather events, which are growing more frequent amid global climate change.

    Additional progress shared at the forum included livestock recovery efforts, which have delivered 100,000 baby chicks and more than 16,000 bags of livestock feed to affected producers. The program has also supported land preparation across more than 500 additional hectares for 1,300 smallholder farmers.

    The event closed with a symbolic handover of new mechanized equipment to farmer representatives, alongside an interactive exhibition that provided producers with hands-on technical training in climate-smart agricultural practices. These efforts reinforce the Ministry of Agriculture’s overarching goal of building a high-yield, high-impact agricultural sector that delivers long-term food security and economic opportunity for all Jamaican farming communities.

  • Consumers advised to return contaminated Pan Caribbean sugar to point of sale

    Consumers advised to return contaminated Pan Caribbean sugar to point of sale

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s top consumer protection regulator has issued a public alert asking all customers who purchased packaged sugar from Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company Limited to return affected products to their original point of purchase for full compensation, following a formal product recall announcement from the manufacturer.

    The recall, initiated by Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company Limited, targets specific batches of packaged brown sugar produced across a two-week window in early 2026. Affected products come in three common retail sizes: 0.5-kilogram, 1.0-kilogram, and 2.0-kilogram packs, with manufacturing dates ranging from March 30 to April 12, 2026. To help customers identify at-risk products, the company has published a clear list of affected batch codes, spanning 01-2026 to 01-2028, 02-2026 to 02-2028, and 03-2026 to 03-2028.

    In an official statement released Wednesday, the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) clarified that under Jamaica’s Consumer Protection Act, shoppers are legally entitled to remedies when purchased goods are defective, unfit for their intended use, or do not align with the description provided at the time of sale. Depending on the specific circumstances of the purchase and the nature of the product defect, eligible remedies range from repair and replacement to full cash refunds.

    Citing unresolved health and safety hazards linked to the affected sugar batches, the CAC issued a strong warning for consumers to stop using the product immediately and complete the return process as quickly as possible. For consumers who have already consumed the recalled sugar and experienced adverse health effects, the agency advises seeking prompt medical care and retaining all medical documentation to support any future compensation claims.

    The CAC also reminded retail sellers and distributors of their legal obligation to uphold consumer rights, requiring them to respond to recall-related complaints quickly and fairly. Shoppers who encounter difficulties securing appropriate redress from the point of purchase are encouraged to reach out directly to the CAC for intervention and support.

    Customers can access additional information about the recall or file a formal complaint through multiple channels: by calling the CAC’s hotline at 876-619-4222, submitting a request through the regulator’s official website at cac.gov.jm, or sending an inquiry to the commission’s dedicated email address at info@cac.gov.jm.

  • Eppley bets on regional property, credit growth with leadership shake-up

    Eppley bets on regional property, credit growth with leadership shake-up

    KINGSTON, JAMAICA — As Caribbean-based investment firm Eppley Limited accelerates its plan to scale up cross-regional investment holdings, the company has announced two high-profile leadership changes: hiring former PROVEN Properties CEO Aisha Campbell to helm its real estate and infrastructure division as president, and promoting long-time team member Samantha Summerbell to the post of vice-president for credit. Campbell stepped into her new role following the departure of Denise Gallimore, who departed Eppley after more than eight years of service to take a new leadership position at Stanley Motta Limited / Felton Properties Limited.

    In her new role, Campbell will oversee all of Eppley’s core real estate and infrastructure assets, including the Eppley Caribbean Property Fund, the firm’s direct real estate holdings, and its fast-growing infrastructure investment portfolio. Summerbell, meanwhile, will take charge of all the company’s on- and off-balance-sheet private credit operations, which includes the prominent Caribbean Mezzanine Fund. These leadership moves come as Eppley works to deepen its footprint in private markets across the Caribbean region, capitalizing on growing demand for alternative investments in the area.

    Campbell brings nearly two decades of proven real estate leadership experience to Eppley. During her tenure as CEO at PROVEN Properties, she led an aggressive expansion that grew the firm’s total real estate portfolio from a modest US$20 million to a substantial US$140 million. She also oversaw the development of more than US$250 million in commercial and residential projects spanning three major Caribbean markets: Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Barbados, giving her deep on-the-ground expertise that aligns with Eppley’s regional growth goals.

    Gallimore, Campbell’s predecessor, leaves behind a significantly expanded real estate platform at Eppley. During her more than eight years with the firm, Eppley’s commercial tenanted footprint grew to 1.1 million square feet across three key markets: Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad, laying the groundwork for the company’s next phase of growth.

    In an official statement announcing the leadership changes, Eppley Vice-chairman Nicholas Scott praised Gallimore’s foundational contributions to the firm. “Denise has played a critical role in building and formalizing Eppley’s real estate and infrastructure business from the ground up,” Scott said. “We are deeply grateful for her years of commitment to our growth, and we are proud to see an Eppley alumnus step into a leadership role at another outstanding regional real estate firm.”

    Summerbell’s promotion to vice-president of credit comes after she led several of the company’s most high-impact and successful transactions in recent years. Her expanded leadership of Eppley’s private credit business comes as this segment has emerged as a core and increasingly vital component of the firm’s overall long-term investment strategy, as private credit has grown in popularity among regional investors seeking consistent, uncorrelated returns.

    Eppley CEO Raymond Donaldson emphasized that the leadership changes come at a pivotal moment of growth for the firm. “This is a moment of real momentum for Eppley as we push forward with our regional expansion plans,” Donaldson noted. “Aisha stands out as one of the most accomplished and respected real estate executives across the entire Caribbean, and her track record of scaling portfolios speaks for itself. Sam has long shared our core investment philosophy, and she has consistently delivered strong results for our shareholders over her years with the firm.”

    Headquartered in Kingston, Eppley Limited focuses primarily on private market investments across the Caribbean, with core focus areas in credit, real estate, and infrastructure. The firm manages multiple regional investment vehicles, and has steadily expanded its portfolio of direct property and infrastructure assets in recent years as it works to deliver strong, consistent risk-adjusted returns for its shareholders.