Both Governor of the Central Bank Dr Kevin Greenidge and judge of the Supreme Court Justice Carlisle Greaves have distinguished themselves in their respective offices.
Along with the poise and dignity with which these two men – one an economist, the other a jurist – have executed their assignments, they have also managed to connect with the public in a way that dispels the notion that aloofness must characterise the holders of such office.
Greenidge has been the face of the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation programme, a plan he helped design and implement, but over the past year, he has become even more familiar in households as one of the key figures in the effort to grow the economy. He has also led the charge to ensure that commercial banks do not impose unreasonable fees on consumers.
The Governor has been ever-present on social media, utilising Facebook and Instagram in particular to not only educate Barbadians on economic and financial matters, but to inspire the youth through education.
Members of the public are now even more familiar with the Central Bank and amid several economic challenges, the financial system remains stable
and the dollar is safe. Greenidge’s leadership has played a significant role in these achievements.
Justice Greaves, back home after a highly successful career in Bermuda where he applied his particular brand of work ethics and erased their backlog of cases while also reducing their arrears, has been plugging away at Barbados’ own severely congested system while offering practical recommendations for efficiency. He has at times also offered unsolicited advice to the wayward, even when they are deemed to be some of Barbados’ worst criminals.
Justice Greaves has done so in a manner that has brought him to the attention of not just his discerning peers, but thrust him into the glare of the public spotlight.
Both Greenidge and Justice Greaves have endured public scrutiny not just for the job they are doing, but also the way in which they are doing it.
They both managed to prevail and have gained the confidence of an unrelenting public.
For the special touch they have brought to the offices they hold these two men are the Nation’s 2024 Personalities Of The Year.
