Conflicts of interest, Mr Heaven?

It may have fallen under our collective radars that William Heaven, the CEO of the Government's CHASE Fund, chairs the finance and audit committee of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA).

Perhaps it doesn't matter. It, however, matters that Mr Heaven plans to run for the presidency of the JCA. This raises, for us, the potential for conflicts of interest.

The CHASE Fund is a government scheme, financed by gambling taxes, that makes contributions to individuals and organisations involved in culture, arts, education and sports. The JCA is among the organisations that benefit from the CHASE Fund, albeit via the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), a separate and ostensibly independent, but certainly not disinterested, party.

His current position, prima facie, gives Mr Heaven an advantage over his election competitors and raises questions about his, the CHASE Fund and the SDF's likely decisions should he become president of the JCA.

Maybe Mr Heaven has compelling counter-arguments.

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