Chairman of FundAccess, David Simpson, has underscored the importance of creating viable international global standard businesses so they can operate at a world-class level.
Mr. Simpson stressed the point on Friday night as he addressed FundAccess’ Mix and Mingle, in celebration of its 25th anniversary, at the Grill at The Estates, Boarded Hall, St. George.
The chairman told the clients: “Our legacy is a great and sound one and… you…are evidence of that legacy, having benefited from funding from FundAccess, technical support, and business development advice over the last 25 years. Our future, however, is not necessarily as easy to undertake as our past because we have to look at our future in terms of becoming more self-sufficient….
“Secondly, we need to look at what we can do differently to ensure that we can create viable international global standard businesses, so that those of you who desire to export your product or service can do so…, but that all of us are operating domestically at a level that is world-class.”
Mr. Simpson gave the assurance that employees of FundAccess were committed to improving their service to clients, and shared that they had engaged in a number of strategic activities to determine the way forward. He added that some initiatives undertaken earlier this year were now taking root and clients would see the benefits.
He noted that the business landscape is changing. “The next thing we will have to turn our attention to is compliance among our small businesses. Compliance and regulatory filings, etcetera, are becoming the norm; anti-money laundering and these different mechanisms are placing pressure on us all as organisations and as business persons,” he said.
General Manager of FundAccess’, Esther Lord-Graham, said the loans had enabled clients to create 2,181 jobs, with some employing as many as 30 employees.
“I am no economist, but think of the impact that you have had and you are still having on the economy of Barbados. With an average loan size of about 34 thousand dollars, the roughly 78 million dollars that we have pumped into the Barbadian economy has been well worth it,” Mrs. Lord-Graham stated.
During the night, some of FundAccess’ clients received several awards in various categories. They included:
The FundAccess Longevity Award:
- William Beckles of Little League Gym
- Ronald Greenidge of Redd Boutique
- Julston Kinch of Mint Condition Industrial Services
- Everton Lashley of RoundHay Pharmacy
- Theodore Harris of Unlimited Signs Inc.
- Dane Clarke of Skyriders Inc.
- Samantha Browne of Xquisite Nails
- Andria Johnson of Achazia Retirement Home
Special Awards:
- Pedro Arthur of Imagine Entertainment Inc.
- Nigel Barker of Kerlach Management Ltd.
- Kenneth Jones of Ken Water Sports Inc.
The FundAccess Empowerment Award
Errol Clarke of Intelligent Lighting
FundAccess Scale-Up Expansion Award
Urgent Care Mobile
The FundAccess Scale-Up Export Award
Bibi’s Snacks
The FundAccess Business Development Award
Jamar Jordan
The FundAccess Micro Business Award
Arielle Beckles
The FundAccesS Innovation Award
Inventory Management Solutions
The FundAccess Environmental Awareness Award
Diceabed Barbados Ltd.
The FundAccess Service Industry Award
Dwayne Best ofMakin Moves
The FundAccess Manufacturing Award
Jay’s Enterprises Inc.
The FundAccess Agriculture Industry Award
Gloria Blackman
The FundAccess Retail and Distribution Award
Factor Enterprises
The FundAccess Tourism Award
Valarie Taylor ofGet Wet Water Sports