Said to resign for unknown personal reasons

Jamaica’s pioneering female stockbroker, Rita Humphries-Lewin, is out of Barita Investments Limited, which she formed 44 years ago.

Barita advised, through the Jamaica Stock Exchange today, that Humphries-Lewin has resigned as a director for undisclosed personal reasons.

Humphries-Lewin’s resignation was made public today but was effective yesterday. She had sold most of her interest in the stockbroking and investment firm to Cornerstone Investments Holdings Limited in a take-over bid two years ago.

Despite the downturn caused by COVID-19, Barita has been posting good profits, paying out handsome dividends and growing the businesses, triggering questions about Humphries-Lewin’s departure at this time.

Our Today tried unsuccesfully to reach her for a comment and no one was willing to comment on her sudden departure from Barita.

Formation of Barita Investments

In 1977, Humphries-Lewin founded Barita Investments Limited, which today has the distinction of being the oldest stockbroking company in Jamaica. At the time of the take-over by Cornerstone Investments in August 2018, it was decided that Humphries-Lewin would remain on the board as a director for a minimum of six months to ensure a smooth transition.

She has remained on the board up until today.

Humphries-Lewin has been at the forefront of Jamaica’s stock broking industry for over 45 years.

As the first female chair of a stock exchange in the Caribbean, she led the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) in 1984 and again in 1995-2000. During her tenure, she spearheaded the establishment of the Jamaica Central Securities Depository Limited (JCSD) in 1998 and the development of electronic trading on the JSE in 2000.

Her sterling contribution to the development of the island’s financial industry led to her being conferred membership in the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) in 2000. She was honoured with a Doctor of Education in Leadership by Mico University, for her contribution to early childhood development.

Humphries-Lewin is the Business Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for the Gleaner Honour Awards 2016.