Wikipedia

Don Wehby

Donald George Wehby is a Jamaican business executive and former politician. Wehby is group chief executive officer at GraceKennedy Limited, and a Government senator and former cabinet minister. In September 2007, he became a senator and Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and The Public Service. On 5 October 2009, he returned to GraceKennedy Limited and became the company's group chief operating officer.[1]

Don Wehby
Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and The Public Service
In office
September 2007 – October 2009
Personal details
Born (1963-07-14) 14 July 1963 (age 61)
Kingston, Jamaica
Alma materUniversity of the West Indies

Education

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Wehby holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Accounting from The University of the West Indies. He has also obtain an Advanced Management College certificate from Stanford University.[2]

Career

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Wehby first joined GraceKennedy Ltd. in 1995 as group finance manager. He was appointed deputy finance director in 1997 and in that same year was appointed to the board of directors of GraceKennedy Ltd. The following year, he was appointed group chief financial officer and in 1999 undertook the additional role of chief operating officer for the Financial Services Division. In addition, he was charged with the responsibility for leading the group's local and international expansion especially as this relates to banking, investments and insurance services. He has directed the listing of the company in Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange sited in St. Kitts. Under his leadership, GraceKennedy acquired 100% ownership of First Global Bank Ltd., now a wholly owned subsidiary of the company.[3]

In December 2005, Wehby relinquished his role as chief operating officer of the Financial Services Division to take on expanded responsibilities as group chief financial officer, which included heading a new strategic planning unit.

In 2006, he was appointed deputy chief executive officer of GraceKennedy Ltd. and chief executive officer of GK Investments.[4]

In September 2007, Wehby resigned from his positions at GraceKennedy Ltd. and its board of directors to serve for two years as Government Senator and Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. Following his two-year stint in public service, he was reappointed to the board of directors of GraceKennedy Ltd. on his return to GraceKennedy on 5 October 2009.

On 5 November 2009, Wehby called for governance changes at the Bank of Jamaica, the country's central bank, following the resignation of the bank's governor. He claimed positions of governor and chairman of the bank should be split.[5][6]

Don Wehby became group chief executive officer of GraceKennedy Limited on 1 July 2011. Prior to this appointment, Wehby was group chief operating officer, a position he took up when he rejoined the company on 5 October 2009.[7]

Wehby took a leave of absence as GraceKennedy Limited, CEO in October 2024 for health reasons, and subsequently resigned from the Jamaica Senate in November 2024 to prioritize his health.[8][9][10][11]

Affiliations

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His current professional affiliations include chairman of the Taskforce on Tourism Contribution & Linkages.[2] He is also vice-president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). He previously served the PSOJ as a member of its economic policy committee and honorary treasurer. He also served on the board of directors of his alma mater St. George's College.

A Fellow Chartered Accountant, Wehby gained his early auditing experience at Touche-Ross Thorburn.

Personal life

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Wehby attended St George's College.[12] He is married with three children. He is an avid cricket fan and a member of the Kingston Cricket Club.

Awards

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Order of Distinction (OD) at the Commander Class [2]

References

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  1. ^ "Don Wehby Rejoins GraceKennedy as Group Chief Operating Officer". GraceKennedy Limited. 2 October 2009. Archived from the original on 12 November 2009. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  2. ^ a b c "Don Wehby bestowed with an OD | Loop Jamaica". Loop News. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  3. ^ "GraceKennedy to grow financial footprint through Signia". jamaica-gleaner.com. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Wehby for Order of Distinction". Jamaica Observer. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  5. ^ Roache, Alicia (6 November 2009). "Wehby calls for major changes to be made at BOJ". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 9 November 2009. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  6. ^ "Restructure BOJ - Wehby proposes new central bank model - Split chairmanship and governor's position - Set up committee to determine interest rates". Jamaica Gleaner. 6 November 2009. Archived from the original on 9 November 2009. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  7. ^ "Senator Don Wehby, O.D." Caribbean American Heritage Awards. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  8. ^ "GraceKennedy CEO Don Wehby takes leave for health reasons". Jamaica Observer. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  9. ^ "GraceKennedy CEO takes temporary leave". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Wehby resigns from Senate". Jamaica Gleaner. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Don Wehby resigns from Senate". Jamaica Observer. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Senator the Hon. Don Wehby Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance & the Public Service". Jamaica Information Service. 19 February 2009. Archived from the original on 10 December 2009. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
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