Presented by

Ben Arrindell,

Deputy Chairman, Cidel Bank & Trust

Ben Arrindell is Deputy Chairman of Cidel Bank & Trust, currently consulting on business and product development opportunities utilizing Barbados’ treaty network. Prior to joining Cidel, Ben was an international tax and managing partner of Ernst & Young, Barbados. Ben has over 30-years of work experience in both the UK and Barbados. He has served as advisor to the Barbados Government since 1998 on double taxation treaty strategy, is a member of the Barbados Tax Treaty Negotiating Team and, in 2018/19, chaired the BIBA Task Force on Legislative Proposals for Reform of the Barbados Tax Incentive Regime to comply with the BEPS. In 2012, Ben was awarded the Silver Crown of merit by the Government of Barbados, and in 2019 the Commander of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen, both for services to the Barbados International Financial Services Sector.

Melanie Jones,

MD, Lex Caribbean

Melanie Jones is an attorney-at-law and Managing Partner in the Barbados office of Lex Caribbean. Lex Caribbean is multidisciplinary law firm advising on the laws of several English-speaking territories in the Caribbean. Melanie leads the firm's International Business Group, as well as its Entrepreneurial Business Unit. Melanie also founded and leads Lex Caribbean’s four sister entities, each of which renders complementary client services alongside the law firm. Lex Caribbean Corporate Services Inc. and Lex Corporate Services (Bim) Ltd., are both corporate services providers, licensed pursuant to the Corporate and Trust Service Providers Act. ISM Sponsor Services Inc., is one of five approved listing sponsors in Barbados as certified by the International Securities Market of the Barbados Stock Exchange. Eureka Relocation Concierge Services Inc. (Eureka Barbados) provides bespoke services to support individuals, families and corporates seeking to relocate, set up or headquarter, as applicable, in Barbados.

Robert Croizat,

Semi-Retired Partner, Blevins Franks

Robert was recruited by Bill Blevins in 1994 and set up the firm's Jávea office in 1995 - heading it until a hand-over in 2018. His current interests include financial planning, health and well being. He has chosen to ride out the pandemic from Barbados, utilising the 'Barbados Welcome Stamp Visa'.

Rachel McCartney,

Sales Manager and Leader of Brokerage of Terra Caribbean

Rachel McCartney, is not only the Sales Manager and Leader of Brokerage of Terra Caribbean and Terra Luxury but in tandem, is an active agent. She is responsible for overseeing the sales and rentals team of both entities comprising 16 professional, talented, and experienced agents.

With over ten years under her belt, Rachel joined the Terra Caribbean team in 2009; in 2012, she moved on to Luxury Sales under the sister brand, Terra Luxury. In 2015 Rachel became the Sales Manager and, in 2019, she advanced into the role of Sales Leader for the entire Brokerage division.

Driven by the mantra "knowledge is power," Rachel completed the UBC Real Estate Law and Ethics programme in 2010, graduating within the top 10 percentile of her class, and in 2011 she completed the UBC Valuations programme.

Marlon E. Yarde,

CEO, Barbados Stock Exchange

Marlon E. Yarde has been with the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc (BSE) and its subsidiary, the Barbados Central Securities Depository Inc. (BCSDI) since November 1, 2003. He currently holds the position of Managing Director of the BSE and the BCSDI effective March 31, 2016.

Mr. Yarde has played a key role in many of the significant developments at the BSE over his sixteen-year tenure. These include, most recently, the BSE’s demutualization in December of 2015, the launch of the International Securities Market (ISM) in March of 2016 and the designation of the BSE as a ‘Recognised Stock Exchange’ by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in the UK in April 2019.

Mr. Yarde, an accountant by profession, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (member since May 1996) and a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants Association of Canada (member since June 1995).

Mr. Yarde holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B) from the University of Huddersfield in the UK and a Master of Laws Degree (LL.M) in Securities Law from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University in Toronto, Canada. He also holds the Fellowship designation (FCIS) from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) in Canada.

Damian McKinney,

Chief Executive and Entrepreneur

After a fast-track career with the UK Royal Marine Commandos, where he served for 18 years on active duty around the world reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at 35, Damian McKinney entered the private sector. He soon discovered that the Royal Marines’ Special Forces approach to challenging and complex military operations, was directly relatable and transferable to the business world.

In 1999, he founded the company McKinney Rogers around his love of “real operational challenges”, particularly under severe pressure and focusing on results. Over the last 20 years, he has built a global organization with offices on every subcontinent, and dedicated to delivering tangible and sustainable results for organizations ranging from Walmart to Diageo and Pfizer to Thomson Reuters. He was acquired by GP Strategies in January 2017, where he remained through September, 2020. As of October 1, 2020, Damian has taken on the role as Global CEO for Stoli Group.

He has written two books. Commando Way and Commando Entrepreneur, which describe his successful approach to delivering extraordinary financial results from: building his own global company from start-up; to turning around the Johnnie Walker brand to be the #1 most valuable scotch brand in the world, to WalMart delivering the industry breakthrough $4 generic drug launch, to transforming the performance of one of TPG’s portfolio companies to achieve a successful exit. He is currently on the British American Business Council Advisory Board, as well as Chairman and owner of Woodland Radicle.