NCB has confirmed its new CEO, Robert Almeida. But who is he? 

So, at the company’s recent annual general meeting, NCB Financial Group chairman, Michael Lee-Chin announced the official appointment of Robert Almeida as the company’s Chief Executive Officer.

Now, if you’re wondering, wasn’t he already the CEO? You’re somewhat right. Almeida was named interim CEO last year following the departure of the company’s long-time CEO, Patrick Hylton. So, this is just him officially taking up the role full-time.

But, who’s the man now heading up Jamaica’s largest financial institution?

For starters, Almeida has decades of experience working in the banking and finance industry regionally, and in Canada. He is also no stranger to leadership positions.

He was previously Vice President of electronic commerce at CIBC, which is one of Canada’s top banks.  He was also Chairman at Amicus Bank Canada for a time.

Additionally, he’s been a director of the Canadian Council for the Americas since 2008. The CCA is like Canada’s version of the PSOJ here in Jamaica. 

Almeida is also no stranger to NCB. He’s been with the company for over 16 years as a director. He’s also on the board of NCBFG subsidiaries, Guardian Group and Clarien Bank.

Following Hylton’s departure last year, Almeida was also given the role of Board Chairman for NCB and Guardian. 

Remember when Lee-Chin said that all the execs that left NCB last year became alumni, and opportunities could pop up for them in his other companies?

Well, Almeida is a prime example of that. He’s been working with Lee-Chin for over 20 years.

The newly minted CEO joined Lee-Chin’s Portland Group in 2002.  He’s a Managing Partner with Portland Private Equity and helped establish the AIC Caribbean Fund. So it’s understandable why Lee-Chin would feel comfortable putting him in charge, because they’ve worked together for so many years.

NCB has already started addressing some of the more pressing issues, like dividends and customer satisfaction, so it’ll be interesting to see what he can add to the company in the years to come.

And that’s the bottom line.