Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, has appointed Sandals Executive Chairman Adam Stewart as one of four new Ambassadors and Special Investment Envoys, to play pivotal roles in attracting investment and driving economic growth for the island.
According to a press release from the Office of the Prime Minister, the four individuals “have extensive experience and expertise in various sectors and will bring a wealth of knowledge and a network of international contacts to their new roles.”
“Their primary objective,” the release says, “is to identify potential investment opportunities and attract investment by promoting Jamaica as an attractive destination for both local and international investors.”
Stewart, a Jamaican-born entrepreneur and philanthropist, also currently serves as the Executive Chairman of the Appliance Traders Limited (ATL) Group.
Sandals is the region’s largest private employer with more than 18,000 staff spread across 24 resorts and 12 islands. But beyond Sandals Resorts, Stewart also directs his family’s extensive media, automotive and appliance business holdings — and is the force behind international brands, AC Hotels by Marriott and Starbucks, entering the Jamaican and Caribbean markets.
Stewart also founded and launched the Sandals Foundation in 2009 and continues to serve as its President, with a mission of uplifting communities through education, health care and environmental protection, towards which the foundation has contributed over US $80 million in ‘cash and kind’ to Caribbean communities since its inception 24 years ago.
The SRI CEO also serves as the Chairman of the Tourism Linkages Council of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF); and in 2016, he was vested with the Order of Distinction (OD) Commander Class by the Government of Jamaica, “for outstanding contribution to tourism.”
In 2022, Stewart was conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree by The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.
The other appointed Ambassadors and Special Investment Envoys are Lloyd Carney and Mr. Dushyant Savadia (both for Technology) and Theresa Roberts (for Culture and Arts).
Announcing the appointments, the Prime Minister expressed “confidence in the capabilities of the newly-appointed envoys.”
According to Prime Minister Holness: “Jamaica is fortunate to have such highly-capable individuals who are internationally-renowned in their fields and possess a deep understanding of the investment landscape, both locally and internationally.”
He added, “Their collective expertise and networks will be invaluable in catalyzing innovation, driving investment and stimulating our economy.”
The Prime Minister emphasized his government’s “unwavering commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment, working hand-in-hand with the private sector to attract investment, drive innovation and unlock the country’s full economic potential.”
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, “This strategic move underlines the Government’s commitment to catalyzing innovation, investment and economic growth to create sustainable opportunities for the people of Jamaica.”