Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter
CLARKE
WESTERN BUREAU:
WILLIAM 'BILL' Clarke, president and chief executive officer of Scotiabank Jamaica Group, is the National Centre for Black Philanthropy's 'Business Philanthropist of theYear'.
The award is presented at each conference by the National Centre for Black Philanthropy, and given to an African American or a member of the Caribbean region who through private giving or company policies has demonstrated a history for dedication to social investment.
Mr. Clarke is the second Jamaican to receive this distinguished award. The first recipient was Dr. Dennis Lalor, chairman of ICWI Group.
In accepting the award, Mr. Clarke expressed his gratitude to the centre, and commended its work in promoting the concept of philanthropy, as well as increasing the awareness of the work of black men and women who have dedicated their lives to uplifting others.
"Most people believe that banks are just interested in making money," he said. "But like Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico who said: 'the better off you are, the more responsibility you have for helping others', I think it is important to run companies well with a close eye on the bottom line (and) use your entrepreneurial experience to make corporate philanthropy effective."
The Scotiabank Foundation, of which he is deputy chairman, was established in 1996 with an endowment fund of $100 million to give financial support to projects mainly in the area of health and education. Since its inception the fund has spent some $360 million in communities across Jamaica.
"My personal aim and that of Scotiabank Jamaica is to effect positive changes in our corner of the planet (and as such) we remain committed to using our corporate resources and skills to address social problems in Jamaica."
The National Centre for Black Philanthropy Incorporated is a non-profit tax exempt organisation.
