Champions of Business 2019

Champions of Business 2019

Champions of Business Awards
Ceremony and Cocktail Reception
NOVEMBER 15, 2019
NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR
THE PERFORMING ARTS

T&T Chamber member maps her connection story
on the Connections & Journeys tapestry board.

T&T Chamber member maps
her story on the tapestry board.
Vision Statement
We are the Voice of Business
Mission Statement
To be the champion of business towards the
development of a strong and sustainable
national economy.
https://chamber.org.tt/about-the-chamber

The theme of the 2019 Champions of Business event was “Connections and Journeys”. The T&T Chamber recognised that all of our
successes are the result of our networks and connections. The statement, “One Powerful Connection Can Start Your Journey” conveyed
this succinctly and encouraged attendees to use the occasion to expand their networks further. The imagery chosen to convey this
message of the power of a connection were lines and dots connected. Each dot represented a person or organization and the journeys
were depicted by the lines.
The event concept also drive the message that when we open ourselves to make new connections, we create a powerful tapestry that
can turn an idea into the next conglomerate or global brand.
The 2019 Champions of Business Awards Ceremony was branded the Biggest Business Networking Event of the Year and the cocktail
reception certainly delivered the right atmosphere for guests to do just that.

It is important to understand that
success is always a collective and
collaborative effort.
Reyaz Ahamad | President
Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Executive Director
Southern Sales and Service Company Limited
https://chamber.org.tt/championsofbusiness

Reyaz Ahamad
Reyaz Ahamad, President of the T&T Chamber and Executive
Director of Southern Sales and Service Company Limited
delivers his opening remarks during the awards ceremony.

…what makes the entrepreneur
different from the rest of us is
that they are choosing to make
the path of their own journey
Maria Daniel | Partner
Transaction Advisory Services
Ernst & Young Services Limited

At EY, our purpose is building a better working world. We work
with entrepreneurs, companies, and entire countries to solve
their most pressing challenges. The insights and quality
services we provide help build trust and confidence in the
capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop
outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all
of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in
building a better working world for our people, for our clients
and for our communities
https://www.ey.com/tt/en/home

Our 700+ people in the Caribbean pursue the highest
levels of integrity, quality and professionalism to provide
clients with a broad array of assurance, advisory, tax and
transaction services. We operate under a single global
strategy, leverage a single communications platform and
adhere to a single code of practice. EY Caribbean is the
largest and only fully integrated professional services
firm in the region. We have aligned ourselves to be
responsive to clients as a single point of contact,
regardless of location. We operate and serve our clients
seamlessly across the Caribbean.
https://www.ey.com/en_gl/entrepreneur-of-the-year

We believe a better working world is one where economic
growth is sustainable and inclusive. We work continuously
to improve the quality of all of our services, investing in our
people and innovation. And we’re proud to work with others
— from our clients to wider stakeholders — to use our
knowledge, skills and experience to help fulfill our purpose
and create positive change.
https://www.ey.com/en_gl/entrepreneur-of-the-year

EY Entrepreneur of the Year - Start Up Finalists
Sophia Stone and Stacy Seeterram
Caribbean Cure Limited
https://www.caribbean-cure.com
Christopher Boodoosingh
Cocoa Republic Limited
https://www.cocoa-republic.com
Matthew Moses and Andrew Laquis
Shyft Investments Limited
https://www.shyft.tt
Faariah Khan and Kevin Singh
Green Age Farms Limited
https://www.greenagefarms.com

2019 Winner
Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Cocoa Republic
Jonathan Boodram
https://www.cocoa-republic.com
Christopher Boodoosingh receives the EY Entrepreneur of The
Year award – Start Up from Pria Narinesingh, Country Managing
Partner, EY Trinidad

EY Entrepreneur of the Year - Emerging Finalists
Hesma Tyson
Caribbean Specialty Foods Co. Limited
https://www.facebook.com/caribbean-cure
Stefan Grosberg
Del Mano Food Limited
https://www.delmanofood.com
Kasey Phillips
Precision Global Music Limited
https://www.precisionglobalmusic.com
Jennifer Ramoutar-Goberdhan
Jennifer Goberdhan Signature Weddings
http://www.jennifergoberdhan.com

2019 Winner
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Precision Global Music Limited
Kasey Phillips
https://www.precisionglobalmusic.com
Kasey Phillips poses with his award for the EY
Entrepreneur of The Year award – Emerging

From left to right): Maria Daniel, EY Trinidad; Chris Boodoosingh, EY Entrepreneur of the Year - Start Up; Kasey Phillips, EY
Entrepreneur of the Year- Emerging; Wade George, Executive Chairman, EY Caribbean

PAST AWARDEES OF THE EY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
2018
START-UP ENTREPRENEUR AWARD RECIPIENT
Vandana Mangroo - Founder and Managing Director
HELLO GREEN LIMITED
https://hellogreentt.com
EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR AWARD RECIPIENT
Nolana Lynch - Founder and Chief Executive Officer
ECO TRUFFLES LIMITED
https://www.ecotruffles.com
2017
START-UP ENTREPRENEUR AWARD RECIPIENT
Nigel Jordan and Cheryl Baptiste
TWIGS NATURAL LIMITED
https://www.twigsnaturals.com
EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR AWARD RECIPIENT
Jules Sobion
CAESAR’S ARMY LIMITED
http://www.caesarsarmy.com
2016
START-UP ENTREPRENEUR AWARD RECIPIENT
David Thomas and Rachel Renie - Co founders
MARKET MOVERS LIMITED
https://www.dmarketmovers.com
2015
START-UP ENTREPRENEUR AWARD RECIPIENT
Christian & David Stone - Co founders
MORE SUSHI LIMITED
https://www.facebook.com/morevino/
MASTER ENTREPRENEUR AWARD RECIPIENT
Satyakama “Kama” Maharaj - Managing Director / Founder
SACHA COSMETICS LIMITED
https://www.sachacosmetics.com
MASTER ENTREPRENEUR AWARD RECIPIENT
Dominic Hadeed - Managing Director / Founder
BLUE WATERS PRODUCTS LIMITED
https://www.bluewaterstt.com
WINNING WOMEN AWARD RECIPIENT
Jennifer Dan Sharma - Chief Executive Officer
JENNY'S ON THE BOULEVARD
https://www.facebook.com/jennysontheblvd/

(These) finalists are companies
that utilised technology to improve
operational excellence, connect disparate
islands of information and data and most of
all positively affect the lives of their
customers
Ian Galt
General Manager,
Enterprise Services, TSTT
Ian Galt at the podium

Ian Galt, General Manager, Enterprise Services, TSTT
at the bmobile activation zone.
FOLLOW US
@bmobile
TSTT is Trinidad and Tobago’s largest and most advanced provider
of integrated communications solutions to residential and
commercial markets. Its digital transformation to an agile
broadband company focuses its investments on technology that
allows the company to provide cutting-edge, world-class
solutions which make it easier for individuals and businesses to
better manage their diverse priorities.

Among TSTT’s key investments is a world class Data Centre
that was the first in the region to achieve TIA-942-B (Rated
3) and SOC 2 international standards certification. This is
the most rigorous international standards available for the
industry; as a result, TSTT is now able to offer companies
such data services as disaster recovery, virtual data
centres, virtual machines and hosting of private servers
and other computing hardware.
In addition to data centre services, TSTT also provides local
businesses and homes with Voice, Broadband, TV, Alarm
Monitoring and 4G LTE Mobile Services including an
innovative line of Android and iOS based devices and
international roaming.

Business customers also have access to TSTT’s Metro
Ethernet; Video Cloud communications; Network Solutions;
International MPLS and Google Apps for business.
As the industry leader, providing both wireless and fibre optic
technologies throughout Trinidad and Tobago, TSTT is able to
deliver an unparalleled degree of digital access and customer
solutions that best suit the needs of its business and
residential customers.
As a leading corporate citizen, TSTT is also proud of its social
responsibility efforts, and especially of its employee
volunteerism programme, which continues to make a
significant difference in the lives of citizens across Trinidad and
Tobago.
https://www.bmobile.co.tt/

Business Technology Award
Finalists
Clockwise from top left:
Aneel Ali, Chief Information Officer, Caribbean Airlines
receives the finalist trophy from Siobhan Thompson,
Marketing Manager, Enterprise Services, TSTT
Oliver Sabga, CEO, Term Finance (Holdings) Ltd receives the
finalist trophy from Siobhan Thompson, Marketing Manager,
Enterprise Services, TSTT
Timmy Chin and Kirti Mohammed, Directors of Vibrant
Technology Solutions Ltd receive the finalist trophy from
Siobhan Thompson, Marketing Manager, Enterprise Services,
TSTT

2019 Winner
Business Technology Award
Term Finance (Holdings) Limited
https://mytermfinance.com/en-CB/
Oliver Sabga, CEO, Term Finance (Holdings) Ltd receives the
Business Technology Award from Ian Galt, General Manager,
Enterprise Services, TSTT

PAST AWARDEE OF THE BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY AWARD
Aldwyn Wayne, Chief Executive Officer
WIPAY (TRINIDAD & TOBAGO) LIMITED
https://www.wipay.com

Oliver Sabga, CEO, Term Finance (Holdings) Ltd proudly poses with the 2019 Business Technology award trophy at the bmobile
activation zone. To his right is Siobhan Thompson, Marketing Manager, Enterprise Services, TSTT

Where companies
connect
and lifetime
relationships are
forged.

…sometimes we do not see all
that a connection can evolve into
but if we put effort and hard work
into pursuing it, there is no telling
what can emerge.
Karen Darbasie
Group CEO
First Citizens

First Citizens is one of the leading
Financial Services Groups in Trinidad and
Tobago and the Eastern Caribbean. It
offers a full range of retail, corporate and
merchant banking services as well as
trustee, investments and brokerage
services. The Group is headquartered in
Trinidad and Tobago and First Citizens
Bank, which is the largest division within
the Group, has an extensive retail branch
network in Trinidad and Tobago with a
large deployment of ATMs and point of
sale devices in both islands.
https://www. rstcitizenstt.com/index.html

With operations in the Caribbean region and Costa Rica, First
Citizens is fully prepared to service every financing or
investment need of our customer base. Listed on the Trinidad
and Tobago Stock Exchange since 2013, the Group’s Shares
continue to be traded successfully in the market and it
recorded profit before tax of just over TT$1 billion for the last
fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.
First Citizens was awarded Bank of the Year 2017 from The
Banker and Safest Bank in ‘T&T’ from Global Finance, and
has also been involved in financing a number of landmark
projects across the region.

The Group also administers a robust Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) programme by investing in communities it
serves across the Region, in the areas of Youth Development
and Education, The Advancement of Women, Sport, Culture and
the Environment.
On September 13th, 2018, First Citizens celebrated its 25th
Anniversary, and the Group has redoubled its commitment to
delivering excellent customer experiences and adding
consistent value to our shareholders for the next 25 and
beyond!

2019 Winner
Internationally Known T&T Owned Company of the Year
Associated Brand Industries Limited
http://www.abil-tt.com
Nicholas Lok Jack, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Associated Brands
Industries Limited delivers his acceptance speech following on the
company receiving the 2019 Internationally Known…T&T Owned
Company of The Year award trophy.

PAST AWARDEES OF
THE INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN
T&T OWNED COMPANY
OF THE YEAR AWARD
2018
SM JALEEL & CO. LTD.
https://www.smjaleel.net
2017
BERMUDEZ BISCUIT COMPANY LIMITED
http://www.mybermudez.com
2016
LABEL HOUSE GROUP LIMITED
https://labelhousegroup.com
2015
KENSON GROUP OF COMPANIES
https://www.kenson.co.tt

Karen Darbasie, Group CEO, First Citizens and award sponsor poses with Nicholas Lok Jack, Deputy
Chairman and CEO, Associated Brands Industries Limited, the 2019 Internationally Known…T&T Owned
Company of The Year award recipient.

I want to recognise… the families
and support networks of these
(heroes)…as they are just as
important to the journeys they
(the inductees) have traversed
Anand Pascal, President
Guardian Life of the Caribbean Limited

In 1847, during the financial crisis in Britain, Scotland born Charles
Warner saw an opportunity to bring the benefits of life insurance to
Trinidad and became the first Director of the Trinidad Board of
Standard Life of Edinburgh Scotland.
In 1970 Standard Life merged their Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados
portfolios with the Jamaica Mutual Life Assurance Society on
November 15, 1972. Towards the end of the 1970s, all insurance
companies operating in Trinidad & Tobago were required to localize
their operations. Guardian Life of the Caribbean Limited was
established to accept the Trinidad & Tobago portfolio of Jamaica
Mutual in December 1980.

Guardian Life of the Caribbean acquired a majority shareholding in
Crown Life (Caribbean) Limited and the two companies merged its
operations in January of 1993, assuming the management portfolio
of business formally under the Caribbean Atlantic Life Insurance
Company (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited. With this acquisition (of Crown
Life portfolio), Guardian Life of the Caribbean entered the Curacao
and Aruba markets.
In August of 1995, a strategic alliance between Guardian Life of the
Caribbean and the Royal Bank of Trinidad & Tobago facilitated the
development of the country’s first bank assurance company. On June
18, 1996, the restructuring of Guardian Life of the Caribbean was
completed and a holding company was established – Guardian
Holdings Limited.

In May 2019, Guardian Holdings Limited (GHL), NCB Financial Group
Limited (NCBFG) and its wholly owned subsidiary, NCB Global
Holdings Limited (NCBGH), started a new chapter with the
successful completion of the acquisition of 74,230,750 shares in
GHL. The acquisition, one of the largest of its kind within the region,
resulted in NCB holding over 62% of GHL. This ground-breaking move
was fully aligned to GHL’s growth strategy, representing another
significant step towards its regional and international expansion
vision.
Guardian Life is now the largest life insurance provider in the region
with over 250,000 policies and assets in excess of $3.5 billion under
management.

Anand Pascall, President of Guardian Life of the Caribbean officially presents John Hale, son of the late Osmond “Ossie” Hale with
his trophy, officially inducting his father into the T&T Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame.

2019 INDUCTEE BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
OSMOND "OSSIE" HALE
Former President / CEO Hand Arnold
(posthumous)

Anand Pascall, President of Guardian Life of the Caribbean officially presents Sieunarine Coosal,
with his trophy, officially confirming his induction him into the T&T Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame

2019 INDUCTEE BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
SIEUNARINE
COOSAL
CEO of the COOSALS Group of Companies

New connections have been made as finalists, award winners,
Business Hall of Fame inductees, and sponsors pose together

Business Technology award winner and finalists pose with bmobile award sponsor
representatives

Anand Pascall, President of Guardian Life of the Caribbean poses with the 2019 Business Hall of Fame inductees, Mr.
Sieunarine Coosal and Mr. John Hale for Mr. Osmond “Ossie” Hale and Reyaz Ahamad, President of the T&T Chamber and
Executive Director of Southern Sales and Service Company Limited

Sponsors & Contributors
The Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of
Commerce and Industry would like
to thank our sponsors and
contributors without whom this
event would not be possible
PLATINUM SPONSORS:

GOLD SPONSOR:
BRONZE SPONSOR:
MEDIA PARTNERS:
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
• Alstons Marketing Company Limited
• Angostura Limited
• AVIT Support
• Carib Brewery
• iCreate Events Limited
• NeuFX