Apr 2015 Financial News

New First Citizens CEO starts today

Apr 07, 2015

An experienced and highly qualified banker,  Karen Darbasie, takes up the position as Group Chief Executive Officer of First Citizens today. The new CEO brings to First Citizens 21 years of banking experience. Her most recent appointment was managing director of the Merchant Bank, country treasurer and mMarkets head at the local subsidiary of a multinational bank.   

 “I am particularly pleased with the appointment of Ms Darbasie as Group CEO of the only truly indigenous financial institution in the country and one of the leading organisations of its kind in the Caribbean” said chairman Anthony Smart. “The board has recognised that Ms Darbasie can add value to First Citizens as a highly diversified financial institution that offers the full range of services to customers, both individual and corporate as well as governments; and we are also delighted that she brings experience from an international institution to First Citizens. 

“We are confident that under her leadership and together with our strong and capable executive and senior management teams, First Citizens will continue growing significantly.” Darbasie’s academic career is as varied as her banking experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) honours degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of the West Indies; a Masters of Science, with distinction in Telecommunications and Information Systems (University of Essex, England); and a Master of Business Administration (University of Warwick, England) also with distinction. 

“What is particularly pleasing about the job of Group CEO of First Citizens is the opportunity it presents to make a contribution to the growth of the national economies in Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica” said Darbasie. 

Darbasie comes from a family of national contributors. Her father, Reynold Rampersad, rose to the position of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and economic advisor to the Prime Minister.  He served on several boards and was awarded the Chaconia Medal (Silver). Her mother, Margaret, retired as director of the Central Statistical Office.

Additionally, her uncle Frank Rampersad, established the structure for creation of the Central Statistical Office, was the first president of the National Institute of Higher Education Research Science and Technology (Niherst) and served on several state boards as well as economic advisor to Sir Shridath Ramphal Secretary General of the Commonwealth. Darbasie is the first female Group CEO of First Citizens. She succeeds executive chairman Anthony Smart who had filled the position for the past four months.

Source:
Trinidad Guardian
Tuesday April 7, 2015

http://www.guardian.co.tt/business/2015-04-07/new-first-citizens-ceo-starts-today