Septimus ‘Bob’ Blake, chief executive officer of the National Commercial Bank, was today (July 21) unanimously re-elected as president of the Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA) during its annual general meeting.

Audrey Tugwell Henry, president and CEO of Scotia Group Jamaica Limited, was unanimously appointed as vice president.

Tugwell Henry joins JBA Treasurer Eva Lewis, who is also country officer and corporate bank head of Citibank Jamaica, and Nigel Holness, managing director of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank Jamaica, the association’s honorary secretary.

Tugwell Henry said she was looking forward to bringing her wealth of experience to the role in supporting the mandate of the JBA, which comprises the main industry practitioners through its member institutions.

Blake, in the meantime, expressed his gratitude for the Executive Council’s vote of confidence in his leadership.

“I wish to express my appreciation to the JBA Executive Council for their trust in my abilities to continue leading this association,” he said.

“With the support of the Executive members, I will continue to lead the advancement of the JBA’s mission to promote a safe, sound, competitive and vibrant banking industry that supports Jamaica’s economic growth and development. The key areas of focus for this term will be supporting and driving financial inclusion, public education, consumer protection and cybersecurity.”

The JBA is a non-profit organisation that represents commercial banks, merchant banks and building societies in the island.