Twenty nurses – 18 female and 2 males got quite a surprise when a number of executives from CIBC Caribbean, led by Head of Country Kemar Polius, turned up at the Eunice Gibson Polyclinic to help them celebrate International Nurses Day.

In a random act of kindness, the officials from the bank decided to take some gifts to all the nurses working at the polyclinic which is closest to the bank’s head office and opposite its Warrens branch. 

“Thank you for all that you do and for your hard work,” stated Kemar Polius as they entered the room with the nurses who were a little puzzled at first by the sudden appearance of the bank officials, “and Happy International Nurses Day!” he added, as the nurses broke out in smiles.  

Michelle Whitelaw Director Personal and Business Banking, gives some words of encouragement to Nurse Dzorgbenyuie Akakpo

Polius explained after “We wanted to recognise our often-overlooked nurses and recognise the work they do.  We thought International Nurses Day was a perfect time to do it.  Earlier in the day we had rewarded some student nurses with the Ramona Mascoll Scholarships which the bank conceptualised 5 years ago, and we thought that the older nurses needed some recognition as well.”

Kemar Polius (centre) with the CIBC Caribbean team as they applaud the nurses, from left Krystal Maynard – Associate Director, Capital Management, Treasury, Suediann Conliffe – Branch Manager (ag), Victor Boyce – Director Corporate Banking and Kris Rollins – Business Support Officer

He also expressed thanks to the Medical Officer at the Polyclinic for facilitating the visit. 

The nurses each received a bag with branded items from the bank as well as bouquets of fresh flowers. (PR/GIS)

Students from The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) were recently given a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the Caribbean’s most advanced telecommunications provider during a visit to Flow Barbados’ headquarters in Warrens.

Led by tutor Aaron Ameerali and Dr. Jorrel Bisnath, the students who were on an international study tour are a part of the two programmes: Innovation, Manufacturing, Management and Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship. 

The group engaged in a lively and insightful session with Flow’s Vice President, Desron Bynoe, and members of his senior management team. 

Joining Bynoe were Senior Managers Kerri-Anne Burke, Xavier Jeffrey and Toni Yarde, who together offered the students a comprehensive look into Flow’s operations, technological advancements, and customer focus.

UTT student Joshua Gomez presented a token to Flow’s Vice President Desron Bynoe

“We’re proud to lead the way in technology and innovation,” said Bynoe. “But beyond our cutting-edge infrastructure, what truly drives Flow is our commitment to the communities we serve. Corporate Social Responsibility is in our DNA. Just two years ago, we were recognised as the Best CSR Company in the market — a testament to the work we’ve consistently done over the years.”

Bynoe also highlighted Flow’s longstanding support of sports and culture in Barbados, noting their continued involvement in both grassroots and marquee events, including this year’s ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup.

“Our role extends beyond connectivity,” Bynoe said. “Through initiatives like our ‘Jump’ programme, we’re ensuring that underserved households not only get internet access, but also the tools and training to use it meaningfully. It’s about empowering people to learn, innovate, and change their lives using the technology we provide.”

When asked by students what sets Flow apart from its competitors, Bynoe didn’t hesitate.

“My team is my greatest differentiator,” he said. “It’s not in the technology, not in the network, not in IT experience, but in the human capital assets we have. They are the face of Flow — installing services, supporting customers, and delivering experiences that go beyond just technology. That’s why we continue to invest in them. It’s the people who truly make the difference.”

The visit concluded with a heartfelt thank you from student Joshua Gomez, who presented Bynoe with a token of appreciation on behalf of the class. Ameerali said the visit exceeded their expectations and the information gleaned was extremely useful.

The session was part of Flow Barbados’ ongoing commitment to fostering educational growth and supporting regional talent through knowledge-sharing and industry engagement. (PR)

As Barbados moves towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG,) members and friends of BIBA, the Association for Global Business, recently had a first hand look at the new Hyundai electric and hybrid vehicles as Courtesy Garage unveiled its Green Mobility Fleet. 

The new 2025 Santa Fe and Tucson models were unveiled by officials of Courtesy and BIBA – President, Marlon Yarde and Executive Director, Carmel Haynes; along with Allan Bayne, CEO of the Automotive Division of the Goddard Group and Andrez Greene, General Manager of Courtesy Garage, while the Ioniq 5 and Kona electric and hybrid vehicles were on display on arrival at the Mahogany Ridge event. 

In welcoming guests to the event, General Manager Andrez Greene, stated that the launch marked the 103-year-old company’s move into a new sustainable chapter that aligned with the island’s visions of becoming a clean and resilient energy economy, that will support the National Energy Policy. He also explained that the Courtesy service team had undergone extensive training in EV Technology to ensure that clients were supported throughout their experience.   

“Our skilled technicians are trained to work on these advanced hybrid systems, ensuring your Hyundai receives the expert care it deserves. From routine maintenance to any potential repairs covered under the vehicle or high-voltage component warranties, we have the tools, technology, and expertise to keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently for years to come” stated Scott Bentham, the Service Manager at Courtesy Garage as he reinforced the words of General Manager Greene. 

Just before Hyundai Sales Manager Ryan Morris unveiled the new vehicles, he introduced the Sales Team of Lisa Boyce, Mechelle Clarke & Derek Harris to the audience and spoke about the Hyundai commitment to sustainable new energy and the company’s strategy for electrification. 

He explained that as the 3rd largest car manufacturer in the world, Hyundai still intended to grow, aiming to sell 2 million EV’s per year globally by 2030. He stated that they intend to offer a full lineup of 21 EV Models by 2030 ranging from affordable to luxury and high-performance vehicles.  

“This is a demonstration of what’s possible when the private sector aligns with the national development goals; and BIBA is proud to stand with Courtesy’s green initiative which reminds us of the power of partnerships in advancing sustainability” stated President of BIBA Marlon Yarde, as he welcomed all to the event. He urged the guests to make more conscious choices generally, ‘as we look to a low carbon future and we journey to a more resilient Barbados.’ 

In explaining the various conveniences which Courtesy had put in place for clients, Andrez Greene stated that with every EV purchase, Courtesy will provide a free home charger installation, “because charging should be easy, accessible and on your terms” he added. (PR/GIS)