The 15th Annual Middle Managers’ Leadership Conference, themed “A Legacy of Change, Transformation and Execution,” concluded after two days at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica.

The event held April 29 – 30 is the only one of its kind in the world and is designed to provide a vital platform for professional development.

Held amidst a dynamic business climate marked by significant shifts, including substantial investments in the renewable energy sectors, notable leadership transitions within major financial firms, and the accelerating integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into operations, the conference directly confronted the challenges and opportunities that these trends presented.

Underscoring the event’s relevance to the national economic agenda, after her recent trip to the World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington DC, USA, Fayval Williams, M.P., Minister of Finance and the Public Service, delivered Opening Speaker Remarks on the first day. Her participation is highly significant, given her critical role in overseeing the nation’s finances and public sector reforms at a time when boosting national productivity is a cornerstone of the government’s economic growth strategy.

 Dr. Jacqueline Coke-Lloyd, Managing Director of Make Your Mark Group, emphasised the indispensable position of middle managers, stating, “As middle managers, you are at the heart of driving meaningful change, leading transformation, and executing with excellence”. The Sagicor Group board member also stressed the need for adaptability, communication, and leadership in the face of a dynamic environment.

The conference agenda was packed with sessions addressing skills crucial for modern business, including managing strategic risk, financial decision-making, service quality in the virtual space and communication. Among some of the notable speakers scheduled across the two days were: Neil Rhule, Danielle Terrelonge, Dave Morrison and Winston Blackwood.

Neil Rhule, CEO of Think Web spoke on the first day in a session titled “How Do I Use AI Tools To Reinvent Work, Empower My Team & Our Productivity.” This session is particularly timely given the increasing global and local focus on AI’s impact on business efficiency and the need for middle managers to leverage technology effectively.

Danielle Terrelonge, CEO of DRT Communications, spoke on “Achieving Teamship Through Crisis & Reputation Management”. She equipped middle managers with how to prepare for the various types of risk like cyber attacks, product failures, financial shocks and more.

Dave Morrison, CEO of Advantage General Insurance, led a session on “Financial Decision Making and Interpretation for B-Suite” 

With over 30 years of experience in financial management and corporate strategy, he broke down how middle managers could practically take financial considerations into their strategic planning.

Winston Blackwood, Head of Digital Transformation and Business Effectiveness at JPS presented on the topic “Compete with Purpose”. He provided managers with clarity on the difference between toxic and healthy competition within the workplace.

The conference continues to empower middle managers with practical tools for transforming their organisations and keeping Jamaica on a growth trajectory by providing access to Jamaica’s top thought leaders in business.