Five Questions with Andrew Bellamy

Andrew Bellamy has tendered his resignation as chief executive officer, band leader and board member of the Xaymaca International carnival band. In a letter to the chairman of the Xaymaca International board, dated July 6, Bellamy cited a non-alignment of company goals and operations among the major reasons for his resignation.

“The Xaymaca International brand is STRONG with untapped potential, which is the paramount reason that myself and two other shareholders (Ian Bourne and Richard Spence) have been committed to keep the brand alive both financially and through economically viable business strategies since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. But, without the commitment and consensus from all shareholders, the continuous positive trajectory of the brand will be diminished,” said Bellamy.

He added that, though the resignation is with immediate effect, he was “available to discuss the transition of my leadership as well as my own plans to ensure our masqueraders over the past five years are appeased for the trust they placed in my personal brand and the one we sought to build through the Xaymaca International carnival experience”.

The event organiser, who also serves as the chief executive officer of Sleek and a councillor for the Mona division, said that his exit also comes at a time when additional focus is needed for his other business endeavours as he seeks to expand and venture into new national entertainment projects. But what’s next for the former Xaymaca boss. Entertainment spoke with Bellamy in this week’s Five Questions.

1. Why resign with immediate effect?

The major issues of concern and non-alignment on the direction and operation of Xaymaca International have been happening for many months. There [have] been meetings, board mediation and a number of internal strategies that have proved futile during an extended period, and I’ve realised that it is best for the shareholders’ majority to forge the way forward without me at the helm.

2. What is the relationship between you and the other directors other than Richard Spence and Ian Bourne, who you mentioned in your letter?

Xaymaca International is a business. When we started and I brought all the players to the table, I did so based on their business acumen, passion for carnival and our shared resources. Our non-alignment is from a business point of view, and with business (though I am very passionate about the Xaymaca brand) it’s not personal. The possibilities for solutions and the ability to deliver exceptionally exist within the Xaymaca International shareholders’ group.

3. Will Ian Bourne and Richard Spence still be a part of Xaymaca?

My resignation is mine only. All other members will have to decide on what’s best for themselves and our business. There are no resignations from any other shareholder at this time.

4. Is there the potential for a new band being led by Andrew Bellamy?

The dream was always to reimagine and evolve what carnival in Jamaica can truly look like – an experience that’s uniquely ours and rivals any other international festival. That dream started before Xaymaca International and, despite the present adversities, that passion and dream has not died.

5. What new endeavours are you embarking on now that you may have more free time on your hands?

When there is adversity, that’s when I work the hardest and [the] most. Entertainment and carnival have always been one of my loves, and I’ll be expanding some of the existing brands that I operate, collaborating with other like-minded entertainment professionals to create new national brands/products and doing my part to keep the lifeblood of our Jamaican culture alive through our unique entertainment product.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com