Harford’s contribution to C’bean banking sector lauded

Well done, Sir Charles Williams (right) tells Ronald Harford.

A job well done! That’s the consensus among a group of private sector officials as they lauded the work and contribution of Ronald Harford to banking and economic development in the Caribbean.

Harford is this year celebrating 50 years of working with Republic Bank in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Grenada. He joined the then Barclays Bank in 1963. He retired as the Managing Director of Republic Bank which replaced Barclays, in 2005. However, he continues as non-executive chairman of the Bank.

Ronald Harford (right) chatting with Nick Parravincino.
In the background is businessman, Ralph Williams.

A function to celebrate the milestone of Mr. Harford was held at the residence of Managing Director, Ian De Souza.

 Mr. De Souza who took up his appointment at Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited from the beginning of this year said no one individual has had such an impact on banking in the Caribbean as Mr. Harford.
De Souza said Harford worked hard and was once described in his early years by George Money, a British banker,  as an exuberant youngster who made conversation in a free and easy manner.

“At age 39 Ron Harford was the youngest general manager the bank had every seen,” according to De Souza. He also revealed to the audience that Harford overcame and oversaw many momentous and difficult events including the bank’s computerisation project, contentious wages negotiations and industrial actions.”

Having also got useful hands on experience in most aspects of the bank’s operations, Harford was the driving force behind many important development initiatives at Republic. “Under his leadership the bank received awards such as the Banker Awards, Latin Finance Award and Global Finance award,” said DeSouza. He also played a part in Republic Bank’s expansion across the Caribbean.

Lalu Vaswani, President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and industry (BCCI) who presented Harford with a book on integrating values in the world of business, said they at the BCCI are proud of the achievements of Harford. Others making brief presentations and comments were Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited board members G. Anthony King and William Layne; and Businessman, Sir Charles Williams.