WIRSPA is managed by a Board of Directors that consists of the head of each of the national rum producer associations. The Board of Directors act as representatives of the member associations to establish corporate management related policies and to make decisions on issues that affect its members and the region’s rum industry.
DIRECTORS
Clement Hugh Lloyd ‘Jimmy’ Lawrence, CD (Jamaica)
Chairman
Clement ‘Jimmy’ Lawrence has over four decades of experience in leading private sector manufacturing, marketing, and distribution companies in Jamaica. He began his career with Colgate Palmolive Company (Jamaica) Limited in 1978, where he served in various key leadership capacities within manufacturing operations, including positions in Manufacturing Systems and Production Management.
In 1995, he joined the former Lascelles deMercado Group, serving in senior leadership positions in the various subsidiaries including Federated Pharmaceuticals Limited, Lascelles Limited, Agricultural Chemicals Limited, Lascelles Laboratories Limited, Plastic Containers Limited and, finally, J. Wray & Nephew Limited, a Campari Group Company, where he served as Chief Operating Officer (Production, Sales & Marketing); Managing Director and, ultimately, as Chairman of that company. He has also served as Chairman of the J. Wray & Nephew Foundation. Currently he serves as Chairman of the Spirits Pool Association Limited, Caribbean Molasses Company (Jamaica) Limited and the Sugar Industry Authority.
Jimmy is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, where he gained a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He also has pursued management and leadership training, both locally and internationally.
In 2017 he was recognised by the Government of Jamaica and was awarded the Order of Distinction, in the Rank of Commander Class (CD), for invaluable contribution to the Spirits Industry and Economic Development.
He is married to Dr. Monica Lawrence and is the father of two children.
- Ian A.J. Forbes (Trinidad)
- Chief Executive Officer (acting), Angostura Limited
- Komal R. Samaroo (Guyana)
Executive Chairman, Demerara Distillers Ltd. - Antoine M.J. Couvreur (Barbados)
Managing Director, Mount Gay Distilleries Ltd. - Alberto Nogueira (Dominican Republic)
President, Asociación Dominicana de Productores de Ron (ADOPRON) - Albert A. Bento (Antigua & Barbuda)
Managing Director, Antigua Distillery Ltd. - Steven F. Ma Ajong (Suriname)
Chief Executive Officer, Suriname Alcoholic Beverages N.V. - Margaret P. Monplaisir, MBA (St. Lucia)
Chief Executive Officer, Saint Lucia Distillers Group of Companies - Nathalie D. Gardere (Haiti)
Managing Director, Société du Rhum Barbancourt - Perla Perdomo (Belize)
Director, Travellers Liquors Ltd. - Courtney Greaves (St. Vincent)
General Manager, St. Vincent Distillers Ltd.
PAST CHAIRPERSONS
Terms of Service: 1983–1985; 1992–1994; 1998–2007
Born in Barbados, Mr. Mayers was educated at Presentation College, San Fernando, Trinidad. On his return to Barbados, he started his working life as a junior overseer at the West India Rum Refinery Ltd in 1959, moving to James H. Inniss & Son Ltd. as a Salesman in 1962.
James H. Inniss & Son Ltd. was eventually merged with Hanschell Larsen & Co. Ltd. to become Hanschell Inniss Ltd., which was then acquired by J.N. Goddard & Sons Ltd.
Mr. Mayers was appointed a Director and Divisional General Manager of Goddard Enterprises Ltd. in 1979 and he became involved with the Group’s efforts to widen their interests in the local and export rum trade. In 1984, he was appointed Managing Director of the West India Rum Refinery Ltd. He also served as a Director on the boards of several companies associated with Goddard Enterprises Ltd. and in 1994, he was appointed Deputy Managing Director.
After his official retirement from Goddard Enterprises Ltd. at the end of 2000, Mr. Mayers continued to serve as a non-executive Director of the company, until early 2009. He has also served as Chairman of the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC), a Director of the Central Bank of Barbados and the Barbados Export Promotion Corporation and Chairman of the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA).
Mr. Mayers’ association with the rum industry started in the 1950s and continued until his retirement from WIRSPA in 2007. His involvement in several trade and aid agreements, namely the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), Lomé Convention (Lomé IV), The Cotonou Agreement and the Canada/CARICOM Trade Agreement stands testament to his sterling contribution to the rum industry in Barbados and the region, which has benefited from his many efforts to ensure fair market access for Caribbean rum in extra-regional markets.
The 70-million-euro programme of assistance from the European Union to CARIFORUM members was delivered under Mr. Mayers’ chairmanship, a programme which is arguably one of the most successful in assistance the EU has given to any region.
The Government of Barbados awarded Mr. Mayers the Barbados Centennial Honour (BCH) in 2000, for his outstanding contribution to national and community life in Barbados.
In the history of Authentic Caribbean Rum, the name of Patrick J. Mayers stands as a cornerstone of the industry.
- Margaret P. Monplaisir (Saint Lucia)
2023–2025 - Komal Samaroo (Guyana)
2017–2023 - Dr. Frank W. Ward (Barbados)
2007–2017 - Roy Evon Brown (Jamaica)
1996–1998 - Dr. Yesu Persaud (Guyana)
1990–1992 - Lloyd Forbes (Jamaica)
1979–1983; 1988–1990 - Peter F. Campbell, O.B.E (Barbados)
1976–1979 - Tommy A. Gatcliffe (Trinidad)
1973–1976; 1985–1988; 1994–1996 - C. A. Bloomfield (Jamaica)
1971–1973