GUARDIAN ASSET Management, the new investment arm of the Guardian Life Insurance Company was launched in Jamaica last week in a glittering setting and with much musical fanfare.
The lawns fronting the Ruins on campus at the University of the West Indies, Mona, were taken over for the cocktail party, with a substantial bar plump in the middle of it. The Ruin itself was used as a stage lit with strobe lights.
Dwight Richards sang while suited men and women wandered the lawns in front of the Ruins.
Company executives Earl Moore, David Henriques, Claudette Crooks and Lisa Gomes, among others, took the stage for introductions and speeches as a slate of "young leaders" were introduced as the energy behind the new investment group.
The board of directors and executive management team of the new product include David Henriques as director, Lisa Gomes as director and president, Claudette Crooks as vice-president of corporate finance and investments and Paul Wynter as vice-president of finance and operations. Other members of the team are chairman, Peter Ganteaume, deputy chairman, Brent Ford, and directors Terrence Farrell and George Phillip.
It was quite fitting that young Senator, Deika Morrison, was the invited guest speaker (representing the Minister of Finance) as Guardian seemed intent on sending a message about the virtue of youthful brilliance.
The petite Senator gave a no-nonsense presentation, stating that the launch of the Guardian Asset management was a demonstration of confidence in the future of Jamaica.
Lisa Gomes later came forward to unveil the Guardian Asset Management, introducing the product with an extended entertainment segment.
Dwight Richards and friends provided background instrumentals as well as a religious medley and trumpets. The Stella Maris Dance ensemble, wearing outfits to give a Caribbean feel, performed and TO ISIS sang.
Guardian Asset management is a combination of the investment department of Island Life and IML which was also bought out by Guardian. Its functions include money market trading, funds management, equity trading, foreign currency investments and portfolio reviews. It is currently capitalised at $147 million.
- Avia Ustanny
