By Deanzer Roberts
Sandals Resorts recently hosted its prestigious annual awards ceremony, celebrating the dedication and excellence of its team members. Among the distinguished speakers was Winston Anderson, Regional EC Manager, whose address resonated with attendees, reinforcing the core values that drive the Sandals brand.
Anderson, who has served as Managing Director for just seven weeks, expressed his deep admiration for the resort, the island of Barbados, and its people. “I have to confess that yes, I am madly in love with this Resort. I am madly in love with this amazing Island. And I am madly in love with the warmth and friendliness of the people—starting from the immigration officers, the taxi operators, and yes, the amazing team here at Sandals Barbados and Royal Barbados.”
Reflecting on the ceremony’s theme, Love is All You Need, Alleyne emphasized that passion and dedication are at the heart of Sandals’ success. He encouraged team members to embrace their roles with love, echoing the sentiments of Sandals’ late Founder, the Hon. Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart. “He was madly in love with Sandals, he was madly in love with our guests, and he was madly, madly in love with you—our team members,” Alleyne remarked, highlighting the culture of care and commitment that has long defined the brand.
Anderson also underscored the importance of professional growth, stating that Sandals remains committed to nurturing its employees. “One thing we always aspire to do, and one thing our Executive Chairman has made quite clear, is that as we grow, you grow. We are totally committed to developing our people and creating opportunities, as we believe we have the talents right here in this room and around the Resort to be our next generation of leaders.”
He encouraged team members to remain passionate, embrace challenges, and push boundaries, noting that passion drives innovation and success. “Happiness drives passion, and passion sparks creativity and innovation. I believe anything is possible in Barbados, and when I say this will be the flagship of the EC, I say it because of the passion and love that you have displayed for what you do.”
As the evening concluded, Anderson left attendees with a powerful challenge: “Continue growing, continue to aim high, continue to always portray the very best of who you are, and continue to create magic moments every day for yourselves, your guests, your Resort, and this amazing destination!”
The Sandals awards ceremony once again highlighted the brand’s unwavering commitment to excellence, with its employees at the heart of its success. Congratulations to all nominees and winners who continue to embody the Sandals spirit of passion, dedication, and love.