TAFFE
JOE TAFFE has been appointed deputy chief operating officer of the financial services division of GraceKennedy Limited effective September 1.
He will also be invited to join the board of GraceKennedy at its next meeting on September 29, a statement from the company said. The announcement was made by Douglas Orane in his capacity as chairman of the board of directors of GraceKennedy Limited.
Mr. Orane said that, following a four-month transition period, Mr. Taffe will assume the post of chief operating officer (COO) of the financial services division, to succeed Don Wehby in that position.
EXPANDED ROLE
Mr. Wehby will be taking on an expanded role as group chief financial officer.
Mr. Wehby has, since 1999, had dual responsibility for the posts of group chief financial officer, GraceKennedy Limited and COO of its financial services division.
Mr. Orane explained that Mr. Wehby is relinquishing the post of COO of the financial services division, so that he can concentrate fully on new and increased responsibilities which he will be undertaking as group CFO and that the decision to separate the two roles is pivotal to the company's growth strategies.
In his expanded role, Mr. Wehby will, in addition to his other responsibilities as CFO, have responsibility for a new strategic planning unit that is being formed to assist in guiding the continuing development of the GraceKennedy group.
"There are a number of opportunities and possibilities, which we are looking at both locally and internationally, which require meticulous planning and implementation if they are to be successful ventures," Mr. Wehby said. "I see this as the beginning of a new era of expansion and growth for GraceKennedy across all the industries in which we participate."
Mr. Taffe, a chartered accountant since 1981, has been with GraceKennedy for 16 years serving in senior management positions including internal audit manager.
He was general manager of First Global Bank Limited immediately following its acquisition by GraceKennedy and was integral to the subsequent rapid development of the bank in both assets under management and profitability.
He was subsequently appointed and is currently senior vice-president of First Global Central Services.
Mr. Wehby continues as deputy chairman of First Global Bank Limited and Mr. Orane as its chairman.
