Whittingham appointed Deputy CEO of GKFG
Published:Friday | March 18, 2022 | 12:10 AM
Steven Whittingham will become second in command at GraceKennedy Financial Group, GKFG, as of April 1, when his promotion to deputy CEO takes effect.
In addition to his new role, Whittingham will continue to have direct responsibility for GK’s insurance business locally and regionally, as well as the digital transformation agenda of the entire GK Group. He will continue to report to GKFG CEO Grace Burnett.
Whittingham’s new appointment comes after eight years working with the GraceKennedy Limited conglomerate, chiefly as an investment strategist. He is being promoted from the position of chief operating officer and is currently in charge of the conglomerate’s M&A Unit that was created since the pandemic to drive growth through acquisitions for the century-old food and financial services business.
The M&A unit has a pool of about 11 prospects, including insurance and remittance businesses, primarily outside of Jamaica. The most recent addition to GKFG, through the M&A Unit, is GK Life Insurance Eastern Caribbean Limited, formerly Scotia Insurance Eastern Caribbean Limited.
“It’s already been a special year at GK as we have been celebrating our 100th anniversary, and this enhanced role has, of course, added to the excitement for me,” said Whittingham in a company statement announcing the appointment.
His immediate focus, he said, will include the launch of an updated GK One mobile app later this month, as well as the buildout of GKFG insurance and investment businesses.
Whittingham joined the GraceKennedy Group as president of First Global Financial Services Limited in 2013. Over the years, he has also headed GK Capital Management, and served as chief investment off of the group.
“Steven has risen to every single challenge, and I am confident that he will achieve similar results going forward ... as we advance our strategy and work towards achieving GK’s 2030 vision,” said Group CEO of GraceKennedy Limited and Chairman of GKFG Don Wehby.
“Steven’s ongoing leadership, especially his pivotal role in our digital transformation agenda, will be critical to achieving that vision,” he said.