Business
JAM | Apr 1, 2026

Duke Holness brings 30+ Years’ pharmaceutical expertise to MDS Board

/ Our Today

administrator
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Duke Holness

Medical Disposables & Supplies Limited (MDS)  has announced the appointment of Duke Holness to its Board of Directors effective February 4, 2026.

Holness is a distinguished executive leader with over 30 years of experience driving commercial success and operational excellence across the pharmaceutical and consumer goods sectors throughout the Caribbean, Central America, Peru and Ecuador.  He served in several senior leadership positions at GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, including as Vice President and General Manager with full Profit and Loss (P&L) responsibility.  In this capacity, he oversaw multi-market operations across 27 countries with a team of 400 employees.

As a former Managing Director at Exeltis Pharmaceuticals, Mr Holness led a team of over 200 team members across seven markets in Central America and the Caribbean.  Under his leadership, the organization achieved the number one position in growth throughout the pharmaceutical industry in the region.

Throughout his career, Mr. Holness has demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, market development and team building that consistently delivered double-digit growth in revenue and profit.  Known for his ability to bridge operational depth with strategic vision, he has transformed organizations, built high-performing teams and established strong relationships with global pharmaceutical and consumer goods principals.  His deep knowledge of Caribbean and regional markets, combined with his proven track record in P&L management and organizational transformation, positions him to provide valuable strategic guidance to MDS.

Currently, Mr. Holness serves as a Board-Certified Coach specializing in executive and leadership development and maintains active board memberships with AMG Packaging Company Limited and Jamaica’s National Health Fund.  He holds an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and a BSc in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies.  He is also Board Audit Committee Certified through the Caribbean Governance Training Institute.

“Now joining the MDS board, he brings a unique lens to strategic direction by combining his deep understanding of pharmaceutical and consumer distribution, regional market dynamics and proven P&L management with a passion for building scalable and profitable operations.  MDS is confident that his impact at the board level will translate into the future growth and development of the company,” said Kurt Boothe, Chief Executive Officer of MDS.

The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of MDS warmly welcome Mr. Holness and look forward to his strategic contributions and valuable insights as the Company advances its position in Jamaica’s healthcare and consumer goods distribution sector.

Comments

What To Read Next