Sep 2008 Financial News

FirstCaribbean gets new CEO

Sep 03, 2008

There's a new man at the helm of FirstCaribbean International Bank. Career banker, John D. Orr, took over the reins of the top regional financial institution, with effect from August 25th, following the resignation of former CEO, Charles Pink.

Orr spent 13 years holding increasingly senior roles at FirstCaribbean's parent company, CIBC and CIBC World Markets in Toronto, culminating as Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Head of International Retail Banking and Deputy Head of Corporate Development.

In his role as Head of CIBC's International Retail Banking operations, he was responsible for CIBC's Caribbean and Asian businesses. CIBC Caribbean is active in the fund and trust administration markets, with operations in The Cayman Islands and The Bahamas, while CIBC Asia is a provider of banking and investment management services for high net worth individuals.

As Deputy Head of Corporate Development, he played a key role in a number of large transactions for CIBC including the acquisition of Barclays' ownership stake in FirstCaribbean at the end of 2006.

Previously, Orr was CEO of Amicus Bank, which has more than 2.1 million retail banking clients across Canada. He also held a number of positions in the investment and merchant banking units of CIBC World Markets.

In welcoming Orr to FirstCaribbean, Chairman, Michael Mansoor, noted: "I have worked with John for several years and know he has the right combination of skills to lead FirstCaribbean at the current stage of our company's development and in the present economic environment, which will be more challenging than in previous years."

Orr expressed his own pleasure at joining FirstCaribbean. "I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of this new role. The FirstCaribbean management team has achieved great success during the last few years and I have deep respect for the strong and successful bank they have built."

Over the next several months Orr will be visiting the various parts of the FirstCaribbean business, meeting with staff, customers, government officials and Regulators.



Source:
Trinidad Express
Business Magazine
Wednesday September 3, 2008
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_business_mag?id=161371183