Barbados Today

CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank recently welcomed its new chief executive officer, Gary Brown, who was appointed to the post effective January 1.

He previously served as Global Head of Corporate Banking with the bank’s parent company, CIBC.

He was also a member of the Wholesale Banking Management Committee, Investment Committee, as well as CIBC’s Operating Committee, of which he remains a member in his role as FirstCaribbean CEO.

Brown, who began his banking career at Chase Manhattan Bank in 1976, joined CIBC in 2001.

He has stated his intention to build on the strong recovery which the bank has realised over the past two quarters, with its highest net income in five years being recorded in the third quarter of 2015.

In a message to employees, he announced that his focus will be on the acceleration of growth across the bank’s regional footprint through a stronger focus on the customer.

“We are a service business and serving our customers well is the only way we can distinguish ourselves from the competition and achieve success. I personally intend to stay focused by making contact with at least one customer every single day – either in person, in client meetings or by telephone,” Brown said.

“By understanding this we will ensure that we never lose sight of why we are here – to help our customers realise their financial potential and making sure that every one of them has a great story to tell about their experience with CIBC FirstCaribbean,” he added.

Brown takes over from Rik Parkhill, who demitted office at the end of December after a four-year tenure.